Mercedes-Benz 260
From 622 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are exhaust system leaking or insecure, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded and a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm. The top issue, exhaust system leaking or insecure, caused 15 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.
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 15 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 12 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 10 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 10 |
| an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 9 |
| a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 8 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 8 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 8 |
| brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn | 6 |
| 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. | 5 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 25.3% of 260 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 53.8% 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 £151.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 92.5% | brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 1990 | 75.2% | a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, exhaust system leaking or insecure |
| 1989 | 76.3% | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn |
Typical mileage
Half of all 260s tested had between 84,576 and 126,702 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 100,319 median miles, the 260 has 0.015 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz 260 MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz 260 has a 84.7% MOT pass rate based on 622 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz 260?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz 260 is exhaust system leaking or insecure, which caused 15 failures. Other common issues include brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes-Benz 260 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz 260 is 100,319 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 84,576 and 126,702 miles.
Buying a used 260?
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 84.7% pass rate and an average repair bill of £151 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 25.3% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
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.