Mercedes-Benz 190
From 1,227 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are 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, emissions levels exceed default limits and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced. The top issue, 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, caused 56 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| 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 | 56 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 30 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 26 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 25 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 21 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 20 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 20 |
| a battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier | 16 |
| a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 15 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 14 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 39.5% of 190 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 14.4% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £181.
Fuel type matters
Petrol versions pass at 76.8% while Diesel versions pass at 70.2%, a 7 percentage point gap.
Mercedes-Benz 190 on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 197 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 12 newly registered, a net loss of 185. At this rate, roughly 41.5 years until none remain. Now at 10.6% of its peak (67,286 in 1994 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 2,256 | 4,889 | +7 | -0 | +20 |
| 2025 Q2 | 2,272 | 4,853 | +2 | -1 | +1 |
| 2025 Q1 | 2,111 | 5,013 | +2 | -64 | -62 |
| 2024 Q4 | 2,163 | 5,023 | +1 | -132 | -131 |
| 2024 Q3 | 2,325 | 4,992 | +4 | -63 | -59 |
| 2024 Q2 | 2,382 | 4,994 | +2 | -8 | -6 |
| 2024 Q1 | 2,334 | 5,048 | +3 | -53 | -50 |
| 2023 Q4 | 2,385 | 5,047 | +4 | -59 | -55 |
6 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 190E Auto | Petrol | 1,115 | 52% |
| 190E | Diesel | 476 | 22% |
| 190 | Diesel | 314 | 15% |
| 190D Diesel | Petrol | 88 | 4% |
| 190D Diesel Auto | Diesel | 73 | 3% |
| 190 Auto | Diesel | 63 | 3% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 71.7% | 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, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1991 | 72% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1990 | 75.3% | 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, a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud |
| 1989 | 69.7% | emissions levels exceed default limits, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
1 earlier years
| 1987 | 72.5% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play |
Typical mileage
Half of all 190s tested had between 99,644 and 153,934 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 132,000 median miles, the 190 has 0.019 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz 190 MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz 190 has a 74.8% MOT pass rate based on 1,227 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz 190?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz 190 is 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, which caused 56 failures. Other common issues include emissions levels exceed default limits.
How many Mercedes-Benz 190s are on UK roads?
There are 2,256 Mercedes-Benz 190s currently licensed on UK roads, with 4,889 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes-Benz 190 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz 190 is 132,000 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 99,644 and 153,934 miles.
Buying a used 190?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 74.8% pass rate and an average repair bill of £181 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 39.5% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.