Mercedes Benz 308 D (1998)
1998 Mercedes Benz 308 D
CarHunch analysed 1,708 real MOT records for the 1998 Mercedes Benz 308 D. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Mercedes-Benz 308D has a first-time MOT pass rate of 63.7%, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals genuine reliability concerns for a vehicle of this age. More seriously, nearly a third of these vehicles (31.3%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, making this a category worth investigating carefully on any example you're considering.
At an average mileage of 163,907 miles, these vans are heavily used workhorses, and that shows in the failure and advisory data: owners face an average of 3.74 failures and 16.7 advisories per test, reflecting wear typical of commercial service. Before committing to one, get a full pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers the brake system, steering, and suspension—the most common failure culprits on high-mileage Mercedes light commercials.
What to check before buying a 1998 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.
- ⚠️ 31.3% 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%) | 1,707 | 63.7% | 3.74 |
| Petrol (0%) | 1 | 55.6% | 4 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 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 1998 Mercedes Benz 308 D vehicles fall between 125,761 and 195,296 miles.
1998 Mercedes Benz 308 D — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 49 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (13% 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
Found a specific Mercedes Benz 308 D?
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