1993 Mercedes-Benz 320 — MOT failures & pass rate
777 MOT tests on the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320 are in this dataset, and 83.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (23.4% fail rate), the 1993 320 comes out 6.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 11.7% of all tests — 5.8 points clear of emissions & environmental, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, position lamp and rear fog lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 68 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.2% in the 30-60k band and 19.5% in the 150k+ band, a 11.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 25.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 19.2% in 2021 to 12.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 91 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 46 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.5% | 43 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 36 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.7% | 29 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 68 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 29 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 24 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 15 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 15 |
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 | 25.9% | 201 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 22.3% | 173 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.0% | 171 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.1% | 133 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.4% | 50 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 48 |
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 | 61 | 8.2% |
| 60-90k | 119 | 12.6% |
| 90-120k | 196 | 13.3% |
| 120-150k | 160 | 24.4% |
| 150k+ | 226 | 19.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 167 | 19.2% |
| 2022 | 170 | 17.6% |
| 2023 | 170 | 18.2% |
| 2024 | 141 | 15.6% |
| 2025 | 129 | 12.4% |
What to check before buying a 1993 320
On a 1993 320, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (5.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (5.5% 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 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320s pass their MOT?
83.1% of the 777 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (5.9%).
Does the 1993 320 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 30-60k band to 19.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 777 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.