Mercedes-Benz 380 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Mercedes-Benz 380 appears in 1,447 MOT tests spanning model years 1980–2021, and 81.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (19.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 10.6% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 92 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.2% in the 0-30k band and 18.5% in the 150k+ band, a 8.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 17.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.2% in 2021 to 17.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every 380 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 44 | 77.3% | 22.7% | Visibility |
| 1981 | 229 | 80.8% | 19.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1982 | 206 | 79.1% | 20.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1983 | 228 | 82.9% | 17.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1984 | 242 | 81.0% | 19.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1985 | 440 | 83.6% | 16.4% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 154 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.1% | 103 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.9% | 85 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.6% | 81 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 79 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 60 |
| 7 | Tyres | 1.5% | 22 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.1% | 16 |
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 | 92 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 85 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 64 |
| 4 | Washers | 59 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 53 |
| 6 | Non catalyst emissions | 50 |
| 7 | Wipers | 42 |
| 8 | Headlamp | 37 |
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 | 17.4% | 252 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.3% | 221 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 12.3% | 178 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.6% | 153 |
| 5 | Tyres | 9.2% | 133 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.6% | 110 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 49 | 10.2% |
| 30-60k | 204 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 467 | 15.4% |
| 90-120k | 351 | 20.5% |
| 120-150k | 266 | 24.1% |
| 150k+ | 108 | 18.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 434 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 340 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 268 | 16.4% |
| 2024 | 219 | 19.6% |
| 2025 | 186 | 17.2% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz 380
- 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.
- Brakes (7.1% 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 (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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz 380?
81.6% of the 1,447 Mercedes-Benz 380 MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 18.4% fail rate, across model years 1980–2021.
What does the Mercedes-Benz 380 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests, then brakes (7.1%).
How much does mileage affect 380 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 10.2% for cars in the 0-30k band and 18.5% for 150k+, a 8.3-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,447 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.