1989 Mercedes-Benz 500 — MOT failures & pass rate
624 MOT tests on the 1989 Mercedes-Benz 500 are in this dataset, and 87.5% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 21.3% of the time, so this is 8.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.4%) and brakes (5.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, wipers and ball joint dust cover — service brake performance alone was recorded 32 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 17.5% versus 7.0%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 18.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.4% | 46 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.1% | 32 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.9% | 24 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.5% | 22 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 22 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 32 |
| 2 | Wipers | 18 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 17 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 15 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 15 |
| 6 | Washers | 14 |
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 | 18.1% | 113 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.9% | 99 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 15.4% | 96 |
| 4 | Tyres | 12.8% | 80 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.7% | 48 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 47 |
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 | 57 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 61 | 4.9% |
| 60-90k | 90 | 5.6% |
| 90-120k | 147 | 15.0% |
| 120-150k | 143 | 15.4% |
| 150k+ | 126 | 17.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 132 | 13.6% |
| 2022 | 131 | 14.5% |
| 2023 | 124 | 11.3% |
| 2024 | 117 | 9.4% |
| 2025 | 120 | 13.3% |
What to check before buying a 1989 500
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.1% 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 (3.9% 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 1989 Mercedes-Benz 500s pass their MOT?
87.5% of the 624 1989 Mercedes-Benz 500 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 500?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.4% of tests, followed by brakes (5.1%).
Does the 1989 500 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 17.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 624 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.