Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Mercedes Benz 220?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2005 Mercedes Benz 220?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2005 Mercedes Benz 220?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2005 Mercedes Benz 220 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

46% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2005 Mercedes Benz 220 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 124 vehicles, the 2005 Mercedes Benz 220 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2005 Mercedes Benz 220?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2005 Mercedes Benz 220 are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (84.2% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (79.1% of vehicles), Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (64.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2005 Mercedes Benz 220?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mercedes Benz 220 (2005)

124 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.6% first-time pass rate

2005 Mercedes Benz 220

CarHunch analysed 124 real MOT records for the 2005 Mercedes Benz 220. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2005 Mercedes-Benz 220 diesel passes its MOT first time in just 74.6% of cases, below the UK average of 80%, and nearly half of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for buyers prioritising safety. The diesel engines are consistent performers, all 120 examples showing a 74.3% pass rate with no petrol variant in the dataset.

At 110,000 miles median, these are mature cars typical of their age, yet they're averaging 4.5 failures per test, suggesting cumulative wear is catching up with them. Advisories average 24.2 per vehicle—high enough to signal that maintenance costs will be ongoing—so budget for regular repairs and have any used example thoroughly inspected by a Mercedes specialist before purchase.

We have limited data for the 2005 Mercedes Benz 220 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

74.6%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

46%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.5

Over 16.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

110k

Middle half: 87k–135k

For context

These stats describe 124 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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What tends to go wrong

Across 124 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 84.2%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 64.4%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Brake wear 37.3%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 124 Mercedes Benz 220 cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Mercedes Benz 220

Based on MOT data from 124 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 46% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (97%)	120	74.3%	4.57

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Mercedes Benz 220 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

110,135

typical

87,463

low mileage

135,376

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Mercedes Benz 220 vehicles fall between 87,463 and 135,376 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 87,463 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 87,463–135,376 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Mercedes Benz 220s sit.

⚠ Over 182,757 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Mercedes Benz 220 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 27% of 2005 Mercedes Benz 220s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 27 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (27% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.5

Avg failures per vehicle

24.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz 220: All 220 years → Which year to buy? →

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