Mercedes-Benz 260 MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 32 model years and 1,111 tests, the Mercedes-Benz 260 passes its MOT 82.3% of the time. Against all cars of a similar age (21.9% fail rate), the 260 comes out 4.2pp better. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests against 6.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 42 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 23.1% once past 150k — 4.9× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 27.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every 260 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 30 | 83.3% | 16.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1987 | 51 | 88.2% | 11.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1988 | 73 | 83.6% | 16.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1989 | 222 | 82.0% | 18.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1990 | 295 | 78.0% | 22.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1991 | 201 | 85.1% | 14.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1992 | 202 | 83.2% | 16.8% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 116 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.5% | 72 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.9% | 65 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 58 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 48 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.9% | 32 |
| 7 | Tyres | 2.5% | 28 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.8% | 20 |
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 | 42 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 35 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 32 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 32 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 30 |
| 6 | Non catalyst emissions | 28 |
| 7 | Exhaust system | 26 |
| 8 | Wipers | 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 | Suspension | 27.4% | 304 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.8% | 287 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 22.1% | 246 |
| 4 | Tyres | 15.0% | 167 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 149 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.5% | 128 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 42 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 99 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 230 | 19.1% |
| 90-120k | 310 | 18.7% |
| 120-150k | 162 | 11.1% |
| 150k+ | 268 | 23.1% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,081 | 17.9% |
| Diesel | 30 | 10.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 261 | 16.5% |
| 2022 | 237 | 16.9% |
| 2023 | 239 | 21.8% |
| 2024 | 195 | 16.4% |
| 2025 | 179 | 16.8% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz 260
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.5% 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.
- Suspension (5.9% 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.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz 260?
82.3% of the 1,111 Mercedes-Benz 260 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 17.7% fail rate, across model years 1985–2016.
What does the Mercedes-Benz 260 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests, then brakes (6.5%).
How much does mileage affect 260 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 4.8% for cars in the 0-30k band and 23.1% for 150k+, a 18.4-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,111 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.