Mercedes-Benz 200
From 1,158 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened. The top issue, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, caused 34 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 34 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 32 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 28 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 23 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 19 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 18 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 17 |
| 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 | 17 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 17 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 16 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 35.7% of 200 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 14.5% 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 £171.
Mercedes-Benz 200 on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 320 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 51 newly registered, a net loss of 269. At this rate, roughly 52 years until none remain. Now at 14.5% of its peak (96,005 in 1994 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 6,297 | 7,649 | +16 | -37 | -21 |
| 2025 Q2 | 6,341 | 7,626 | +12 | -2 | +10 |
| 2025 Q1 | 6,005 | 7,952 | +13 | -64 | -51 |
| 2024 Q4 | 6,080 | 7,928 | +10 | -217 | -207 |
| 2024 Q3 | 6,396 | 7,819 | +12 | -33 | -21 |
| 2024 Q2 | 6,372 | 7,864 | +10 | -0 | +129 |
| 2024 Q1 | 6,071 | 8,036 | +20 | -151 | -131 |
| 2023 Q4 | 5,988 | 8,250 | +14 | -108 | -94 |
20 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 280 Sl | Petrol | 724 | 17% |
| 280 Sl Auto | Gas | 674 | 16% |
| 230 E Auto | Diesel | 349 | 8% |
| 220 | Diesel | 325 | 8% |
| 230 Sl | Petrol | 281 | 7% |
| 280 Se | Diesel | 269 | 6% |
| 200 | Petrol | 192 | 4% |
| 230 Ce Auto | Petrol | 183 | 4% |
| 250 Sl | Petrol | 161 | 4% |
| 280 Cew Auto | Diesel | 161 | 4% |
| 230 | Petrol | 127 | 3% |
| 208D Swb | Diesel | 124 | 3% |
| 230 E | Petrol | 124 | 3% |
| 280 E Auto | Diesel | 116 | 3% |
| 230E Auto | Gas | 93 | 2% |
| 208D | Diesel | 92 | 2% |
| 230Ce Auto | Petrol | 84 | 2% |
| 240 D | Petrol | 84 | 2% |
| 200 Auto | Diesel | 81 | 2% |
| 280 Se Auto | Petrol | 79 | 2% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 73.1% | a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, service brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
Typical mileage
Half of all 200s tested had between 73,094 and 141,119 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 114,004 median miles, the 200 has 0.022 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz 200 MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz 200 has a 75.4% MOT pass rate based on 1,158 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz 200?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz 200 is vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, which caused 34 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
How many Mercedes-Benz 200s are on UK roads?
There are 6,297 Mercedes-Benz 200s currently licensed on UK roads, with 7,649 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes-Benz 200 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz 200 is 114,004 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 73,094 and 141,119 miles.
Buying a used 200?
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 75.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £171 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 35.7% 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.