Mercedes Benz 200 (1982)

343 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67.4% first-time pass rate

1982 Mercedes Benz 200

CarHunch analysed 343 real MOT records for the 1982 Mercedes Benz 200. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 12.6% below UK average
67.4%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
122,586
typical mileage
91,523–152,836 middle half
20.4%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.41
avg MOT failures per car
over 7.6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1982 Mercedes Benz 200

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.
  • ⚠️ 20.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 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 200

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (92%) 316 67.3% 2.43
Diesel (7%) 24 69.9% 2.08
LPG (1%) 3 60.1% 3

Mileage Distribution

Most 1982 Mercedes Benz 200 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.

91,523
low mileage
122,586
typical
152,836
high mileage

Half of all 1982 Mercedes Benz 200 vehicles fall between 91,523 and 152,836 miles.

1982 Mercedes Benz 200 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 16 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (20% of peak).

81 16 2014 2025

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

7.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.41
Avg failures per vehicle
8
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Mercedes Benz 200

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 43%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
  • 29.8%
    Oil leak
  • 27.8%
    Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel
  • 22.1%
    Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 21.7%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 21.5%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 19.7%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 17.2%
    Brakes imbalanced across an axle

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Mercedes Benz 200?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Mercedes Benz 200:

1981 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995