Mercedes-Benz 190 E
From 5,751 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 190 Es fare better: 1993 models pass at 78.6% vs 75.2% for 1989.
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, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, a direction indicator lamp missing and inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. 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 266 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 | 266 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 116 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 112 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 103 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 103 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 101 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 97 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 94 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 91 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 85 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 49.4% of 190 E failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 15.1% 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 £185.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 78.6% | 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 direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1992 | 76.4% | 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 lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1991 | 79.4% | 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 direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1990 | 75.5% | 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 spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
4 earlier years
| 1989 | 75.2% | 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, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1988 | 78.5% | vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play |
| 1987 | 82.8% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1986 | 78.6% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake |
Typical mileage
Half of all 190 Es tested had between 86,060 and 156,812 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 113,705 median miles, the 190 E has 0.02 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz 190 E MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz 190 E has a 77.5% MOT pass rate based on 5,751 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz 190 E?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz 190 E 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 266 failures. Other common issues include vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes-Benz 190 E at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz 190 E is 113,705 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 86,060 and 156,812 miles.
Buying a used 190 E?
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 77.5% pass rate and an average repair bill of £185 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 49.4% 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.