Mercedes-Benz 312
From 541 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
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 parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement. The top issue, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, caused 38 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 | 38 |
| 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 | 36 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 28 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 24 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 20 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 18 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 18 |
| 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 | 15 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 15 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 13 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 24% of 312 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 29.8% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £153.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 75.8% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 1998 | 70.7% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 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 | 65.4% | steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1996 | 75.2% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
Typical mileage
Half of all 312s tested had between 95,068 and 185,887 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 157,118 median miles, the 312 has 0.019 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz 312 MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz 312 has a 70.2% MOT pass rate based on 541 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz 312?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz 312 is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, which caused 38 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 312 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz 312 is 157,118 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 95,068 and 185,887 miles.
Buying a used 312?
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 70.2% pass rate and an average repair bill of £153 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.