1991 · 33 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E MOT pass rate and common faults

329 MOT tests in 2024. 73.3% passed first time, compared with 71.1% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time73.3%
Failed or needed repairs26.7%
Typical mileage at test112,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 329 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.0%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  3. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.4%
  4. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.4%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
  6. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.1%
  7. Position lamp: not working2.1%
  8. Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive2.1%
  9. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.8%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics21.9%
  2. Suspension15.2%
  3. Brakes14.0%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.0%
  5. Body & chassis7.0%
  6. Steering4.6%
  7. Tyres3.3%
  8. Emissions & leaks3.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded19.5%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.8%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases8.2%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened7.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E?

In 2024, 73.3% of 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E cars passed their MOT first time, across 329 tests. The average for all 33-year-old cars was 71.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E?

The most common failure reasons were component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; coil spring: fractured or broken; washers: provides insufficient washer liquid. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).