1990 Mercedes-Benz 260 — MOT failures & pass rate
295 MOT tests on the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 260 are in this dataset, and 78.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 21.8%, so the 1990 260 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.2% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 23 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1990 260 fails 24.1% of the time in the 60-90k band and 25.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 19.4% in 2021 to 14.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 39 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.5% | 28 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.8% | 20 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 18 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 17 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.0% | 9 |
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 | 23 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 15 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 14 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 12 |
| 5 | Flexible brake hoses | 10 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 9 |
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 | 29.1% | 86 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.1% | 74 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 25.1% | 74 |
| 4 | Other defects | 17.3% | 51 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.6% | 46 |
| 6 | Tyres | 14.6% | 43 |
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 | 54 | 24.1% |
| 90-120k | 89 | 22.5% |
| 120-150k | 33 | 12.1% |
| 150k+ | 87 | 25.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 62 | 19.4% |
| 2022 | 66 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 65 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 54 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 48 | 14.6% |
What to check before buying a 1990 260
On a 1990 260, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.5% 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 (6.8% 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
How many 1990 Mercedes-Benz 260s pass their MOT?
78.0% of the 295 1990 Mercedes-Benz 260 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 260?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by brakes (9.5%).
Does the 1990 260 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.1% in the 60-90k band to 25.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 295 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.