Mercedes-Benz 280
From 1,883 MOT tests. Above 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 aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 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 and significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake. The top issue, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, caused 76 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 76 |
| 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 | 52 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 35 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 35 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 33 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 31 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 31 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 22 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 22 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 19 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 39.3% of failures are serious: 24.7% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 14.6% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £94.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 77.3% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 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 |
| 1984 | 82.3% | 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 transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated |
| 1983 | 87.3% | 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 brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 1982 | 88.9% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake |
Typical mileage
Half of all 280s tested had between 68,892 and 130,165 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 96,427 median miles, the 280 has 0.022 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz 280 MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz 280 has a 78.6% MOT pass rate based on 1,883 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz 280?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz 280 is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, which caused 76 failures. Other common issues include 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.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes-Benz 280 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz 280 is 96,427 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 68,892 and 130,165 miles.
Buying a used 280?
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 78.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £94 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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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.