1992 Mercedes-Benz 230 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 603 MOT tests, the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 230 recorded a 77.1% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (23.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests against 8.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 39 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 28.2% versus 13.9%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 96 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.3% | 50 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 47 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 45 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 40 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 26 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 39 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 38 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 25 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 25 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 23 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 23 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 32.8% | 198 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.8% | 180 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 17.7% | 107 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.1% | 103 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 70 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.4% | 69 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 79 | 13.9% |
| 90-120k | 97 | 18.6% |
| 120-150k | 138 | 23.2% |
| 150k+ | 259 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 151 | 23.2% |
| 2022 | 126 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 119 | 23.5% |
| 2024 | 115 | 24.3% |
| 2025 | 92 | 21.7% |
What to check before buying a 1992 230
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1992 Mercedes-Benz 230s pass their MOT?
77.1% of the 603 1992 Mercedes-Benz 230 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 230?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by suspension (8.3%).
Does the 1992 230 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.9% in the 60-90k band to 28.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 603 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.