1982 Mercedes-Benz 280 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1982 Mercedes-Benz 280 passed 84.5% of its 387 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (18.4% fail rate), the 1982 280 comes out 2.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests against 6.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 26 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.4% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 21.3% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 20.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 15.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 41 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 24 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.9% | 23 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.9% | 19 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.9% | 19 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 11 |
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 | 26 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 24 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 21 |
| 4 | Washers | 15 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 13 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 11 |
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 | 20.2% | 78 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 17.8% | 69 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.3% | 67 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 59 |
| 5 | Tyres | 11.1% | 43 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.9% | 19 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 70 | 11.4% |
| 60-90k | 108 | 14.8% |
| 90-120k | 73 | 9.6% |
| 120-150k | 47 | 21.3% |
| 150k+ | 75 | 21.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 120 | 15.0% |
| 2022 | 103 | 13.6% |
| 2023 | 72 | 16.7% |
| 2024 | 57 | 14.0% |
| 2025 | 35 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 1982 280
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (6.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- 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
How many 1982 Mercedes-Benz 280s pass their MOT?
84.5% of the 387 1982 Mercedes-Benz 280 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 280?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (6.2%).
Does the 1982 280 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.4% in the 30-60k band to 21.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 387 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.