Mercedes Benz 260 (1990)
1990 Mercedes Benz 260
CarHunch analysed 440 real MOT records for the 1990 Mercedes Benz 260. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1990 Mercedes-Benz 260 passes its MOT first time in 76.1% of cases, sitting 3.9 points below the UK average—a modest but noticeable reliability gap that suggests these cars need more attention than typical vehicles their age. The dangerous defect rate of 15.4% is acceptably low, so safety isn't a major concern, though you should still budget for thorough pre-purchase checks.
With a median mileage of 126,250 miles for a 34-year-old car, these examples have been driven hard but not unusually so. The average vehicle racks up 2.1 failures and 10.8 advisories per test, pointing to aging trim and minor wear items rather than catastrophic problems—expect to address suspension, lights, and exhaust components regularly if you buy one. Have any prospective purchase inspected by a Mercedes specialist before committing, since the model's slightly-below-average pass rate suggests some get neglected between owners.
What to check before buying a 1990 Mercedes Benz 260
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 260
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 435 | 76.2% | 2.1 |
| Diesel (1%) | 3 | 70.6% | 1.33 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 71.7% | 3.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1990 Mercedes Benz 260 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 1990 Mercedes Benz 260 vehicles fall between 93,066 and 156,792 miles.
1990 Mercedes Benz 260 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 40 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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1990 Mercedes Benz 260
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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42.2%
Oil leak
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30.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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27.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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24.9%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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24.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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23.1%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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22.6%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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21.3%
Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1990. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes Benz 260?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.