1984 Mercedes-Benz 280 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1984 Mercedes-Benz 280 passed 83.2% of its 817 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.8 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 19.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.0% 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 54 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 24.5% versus 4.4%.
Emissions & environmental is the most common advisory, noted on 19.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.8% in 2021 to 15.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 82 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.2% | 51 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 43 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.7% | 38 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 28 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.3% | 19 |
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 | 54 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 38 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 30 |
| 4 | Non catalyst emissions | 20 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 20 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 18 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 19.8% | 162 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.2% | 157 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.3% | 133 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.0% | 114 |
| 5 | Tyres | 10.3% | 84 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.7% | 71 |
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 | 114 | 4.4% |
| 60-90k | 204 | 12.8% |
| 90-120k | 212 | 19.3% |
| 120-150k | 162 | 22.8% |
| 150k+ | 106 | 24.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 192 | 20.8% |
| 2022 | 180 | 15.6% |
| 2023 | 172 | 16.9% |
| 2024 | 168 | 14.3% |
| 2025 | 105 | 15.2% |
What to check before buying a 1984 280
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.2% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (5.3% 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+.
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 1984 Mercedes-Benz 280s pass their MOT?
83.2% of the 817 1984 Mercedes-Benz 280 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 280?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.0% of tests, followed by suspension (6.2%).
Does the 1984 280 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.4% in the 30-60k band to 24.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 817 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.