Mercedes-Benz 280: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Mercedes-Benz 280 passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 3.1 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 856 individual Mercedes-Benz 280 tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate79.8%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+3.1 points
Tests analysed856
Average mileage at test89,746 miles
Average year of manufacture1987
Reliability rank1,446 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 79.8% first-time pass rate means roughly 20 in every 100 Mercedes-Benz 280s presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average Mercedes-Benz 280 tested had covered 89,746 miles and was built around 1987.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The Mercedes-Benz 280 sits 3.1 points above the national average, ranked 1,446 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Mercedes-Benz 280 rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged Mercedes-Benz 280s at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz 280

  1. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3.5% of tests (3.72x the national rate for this defect)
  2. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3.4% of tests (3.27x the national rate for this defect)
  3. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.2% of tests (2.99x the national rate for this defect)
  4. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 4.9% of tests (2.09x the national rate for this defect)
  5. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.1% of tests (1.72x the national rate for this defect)
  6. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.8% of tests (1.66x the national rate for this defect)
  7. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1.8% of tests (1.64x the national rate for this defect)
  8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 3.2% of tests
  9. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.6% of tests
  10. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 1.8% of tests

From 855 DVSA-tracked Mercedes-Benz 280 tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 2.37% of these flagged Mercedes-Benz 280 defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a Mercedes-Benz 280

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a Mercedes-Benz 280 before it actually fails on it.

  1. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 6% of tests (9.19x the national rate for this advisory)
  2. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 7.3% of tests (4.78x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  3. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 18.5% of tests (3.32x the national rate for this advisory)
  4. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 3.7% of tests (3.01x the national rate for this advisory)
  5. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 6% of tests (2.1x the national rate for this advisory)
  6. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 2.3% of tests (1.84x the national rate for this advisory)
  7. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 10.4% of tests (1.68x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  8. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.5% of tests (1.23x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 11.2% of tests, also fails
  10. A tyre seriously damaged, 10.6% of tests

From 855 DVSA-tracked Mercedes-Benz 280 tests, 2024.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Models with a similar pass rate

If this car is a salvage or write-off

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Mercedes-Benz 280 MOT pass rate badge: 79.8%

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Mercedes-Benz 280 most common MOT failure: The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired (3.5% of tests)

<a href="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/mot/mercedes-benz-280"><img src="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/badge/failure/mercedes-benz-280.svg" width="340" height="106" alt="Mercedes-Benz 280 most common MOT failure: The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired (3.5% of tests) - Salvage Prophet"></a>

All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate