Mercedes Benz 190 E (1987)
1987 Mercedes Benz 190 E
CarHunch analysed 1,286 real MOT records for the 1987 Mercedes Benz 190 E. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190 E has a first-time pass rate of 70.3%, which is notably below the UK average of 80%, signalling that these cars typically need remedial work before MOT. The dangerous defect rate of 11.2% is moderate but worth noting—roughly one in nine of these vehicles develop a serious safety issue during their MOT life.
These cars are running at around 125,000 miles on average, which is reasonable for a 37-year-old model, and they average 1.46 failures and 4.7 advisories per test, pointing to accumulated wear rather than catastrophic problems. If you're considering one, budget for pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes specialist, as the gap between this cohort's pass rate and the national average suggests several will have suspension, emissions, or brake issues waiting to be found.
What to check before buying a 1987 Mercedes Benz 190 E
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mercedes Benz 190 E
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 1,281 | 70.3% | 1.47 |
| Diesel (0%) | 5 | 69.3% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Mercedes Benz 190 E vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1987 Mercedes Benz 190 E vehicles fall between 99,078 and 151,488 miles.
1987 Mercedes Benz 190 E — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 47 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (36% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Mercedes Benz 190 E?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.