Mercedes Benz 308 D (1991)
1991 Mercedes Benz 308 D
CarHunch analysed 454 real MOT records for the 1991 Mercedes Benz 308 D. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1991 Mercedes-Benz 308 D has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 58.9%, nearly 22 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, which signals genuine reliability concerns for this age of vehicle. Nearly a quarter of these vans (23.6%) have recorded dangerous defects during testing, making safety a legitimate buyer concern.
These 308 Ds average 187,413 miles—reasonable for 33-year-old commercial vehicles—but they're clocking up nearly 2 failures and 5 advisories per test, indicating wear-related issues are common. If you're considering one, have a trusted diesel mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine, cooling system, and brake components, as these are likely where problems cluster.
What to check before buying a 1991 Mercedes Benz 308 D
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.
- ⚠️ 23.6% 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 308 D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (100%) | 453 | 58.9% | 1.99 |
| Petrol (0%) | 1 | 50% | 4 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 Mercedes Benz 308 D 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 308 D vehicles fall between 132,771 and 228,694 miles.
1991 Mercedes Benz 308 D — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (34% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Mercedes Benz 308 D?
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