Mercedes Benz 200 (1988)
1988 Mercedes Benz 200
CarHunch analysed 513 real MOT records for the 1988 Mercedes Benz 200. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1988 Mercedes-Benz 200 passes its MOT first time in just 68.2% of cases—a solid 12 percentage points below the UK average of 80%—which signals these cars need more attention than most. With 14% of vehicles having suffered a dangerous defect at some point, buyers should factor in thorough pre-purchase inspection costs.
At 139,600 miles median, these examples have lived hard but typical lives for their age, yet they're still generating 1.8 failures and 6.2 advisories per test, suggesting aging components demand regular maintenance. Before committing to one, have a trusted mechanic evaluate the cooling system, suspension, and electrical harness—the usual trouble spots for W201-era Mercedes—as preventive work will prove far cheaper than reactive repairs.
What to check before buying a 1988 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.
- 📄 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 (96%) | 495 | 68.4% | 1.8 |
| Diesel (4%) | 18 | 63.2% | 1.89 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 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.
Half of all 1988 Mercedes Benz 200 vehicles fall between 109,631 and 171,859 miles.
1988 Mercedes Benz 200 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 16 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (35% 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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 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.
-
61.4%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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27.2%
Oil leak
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20.9%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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18.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15.9%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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15.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15.5%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. 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.