Mercedes Benz 200 (1991)
1991 Mercedes Benz 200
CarHunch analysed 664 real MOT records for the 1991 Mercedes Benz 200. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1991 Mercedes-Benz 200 passes its MOT first time in 73% of cases, 7 points below the UK average, which suggests these 30-year-old cars are starting to show their age in ways that matter. The good news is that only 14.5% have ever recorded a dangerous defect, so catastrophic failures are relatively uncommon.
These cars are running at around 148,000 miles on average, which is high but not unusual for their age, and they're racking up nearly two failures per test along with over eight minor advisories each. Before buying one, factor in that you're likely looking at regular repairs to suspension, exhaust, and brake components—the typical wear items for a 30-year-old executive saloon—and budget accordingly for a pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes specialist.
What to check before buying a 1991 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 (99%) | 656 | 73.1% | 1.89 |
| Diesel (1%) | 8 | 70.6% | 3.63 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 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 1991 Mercedes Benz 200 vehicles fall between 114,232 and 173,750 miles.
1991 Mercedes Benz 200 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 27 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (26% 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 — 1991 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.
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26.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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26.2%
Oil leak
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25.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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21.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20.3%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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20.3%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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19.9%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. 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.