2008 Mercedes-Benz 320 — MOT failures & pass rate
375 MOT tests on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz 320 are in this dataset, and 77.9% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (26.2% fail rate), the 2008 320 comes out 4.1pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.3%) and brakes (8.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, tread depth and track rod end — ball joint alone was recorded 23 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 320 fails 26.8% of the time in the 60-90k band and 22.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.3% | 35 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.3% | 31 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.0% | 30 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.4% | 24 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.2% | 12 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 23 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 19 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 14 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 14 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 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 | 33.6% | 126 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.5% | 92 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.0% | 75 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.5% | 62 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.7% | 40 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.8% | 33 |
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 | 71 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 94 | 18.1% |
| 120-150k | 100 | 21.0% |
| 150k+ | 92 | 22.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 15.2% |
| 2022 | 89 | 21.3% |
| 2023 | 88 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 67 | 28.4% |
| 2025 | 52 | 21.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 320
On a 2008 320, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (9.3% 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.
- Brakes (8.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2008 Mercedes-Benz 320s pass their MOT?
77.9% of the 375 2008 Mercedes-Benz 320 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz 320?
Suspension, recorded in 9.3% of tests, followed by brakes (8.3%).
Does the 2008 320 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.8% in the 60-90k band to 22.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 375 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.