Mercedes-Benz 208 D
From 1,050 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
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, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin and bush or joint excessively worn. 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 89 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 | 89 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 75 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 57 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 54 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 51 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 45 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 42 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 35 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 31 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 29 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 36.4% of 208 D failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 23.8% 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 £174.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 69.7% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 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 |
| 1998 | 55.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 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 |
| 1997 | 66.7% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1996 | 68.3% | brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 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 |
Typical mileage
Half of all 208 Ds tested had between 109,668 and 211,149 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 156,567 median miles, the 208 D has 0.023 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz 208 D MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz 208 D has a 64.5% MOT pass rate based on 1,050 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz 208 D?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz 208 D 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 89 failures. Other common issues include steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes-Benz 208 D at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz 208 D is 156,567 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 109,668 and 211,149 miles.
Buying a used 208 D?
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 64.5% pass rate and an average repair bill of £174 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 36.4% 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.