Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 Mercedes Benz 320?

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 2006 Mercedes Benz 320?

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 2006 Mercedes Benz 320?

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 2006 Mercedes Benz 320 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

38% 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 2006 Mercedes Benz 320 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 168 vehicles, the 2006 Mercedes Benz 320 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2006 Mercedes Benz 320?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2006 Mercedes Benz 320 are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (62.9% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (56.7% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (46% 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 2006 Mercedes Benz 320?

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 320 (2006)

168 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.9% first-time pass rate

2006 Mercedes Benz 320

CarHunch analysed 168 real MOT records for the 2006 Mercedes Benz 320. 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

The 2006 Mercedes-Benz 320 passes its MOT at almost exactly the UK average of 80%, but there's a serious red flag: 37.5% of these cars have had dangerous defects recorded, nearly double the typical rate. This is a luxury diesel that's now 18 years old, and that high proportion of safety failures suggests electrical, brake, or structural issues are common in this generation.

At 96,780 miles on average, these cars are running fairly high mileage for their age, and they're generating 3.27 failures per test along with a substantial 16 advisories—both signs of advancing wear and cumulative maintenance costs. Before buying one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus specifically on the brake system, suspension geometry, and electrical components, because the data shows these are the weak points that catch buyers out.

We have limited data for the 2006 Mercedes Benz 320 — 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

79.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

37.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.27

Over 14.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

92k

Middle half: 69k–112k

For context

These stats describe 168 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 168 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 62.9%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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 40.5%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Oil leak, but not excessive · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Brake wear 27.1%

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

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 2006.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 168 Mercedes Benz 320 cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Mercedes Benz 320

Based on MOT data from 168 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 37.5% 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 (95%)	159	80.1%	3.27

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Mercedes Benz 320 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.

92,404

typical

69,044

low mileage

111,526

high mileage

Half of all 2006 Mercedes Benz 320 vehicles fall between 69,044 and 111,526 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 69,044 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.

✓ 69,044–111,526 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Mercedes Benz 320s sit.

⚠ Over 150,560 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 Mercedes Benz 320 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 32% of 2006 Mercedes Benz 320s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 43 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (32% 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

14.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.27

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz 320: All 320 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2006 Mercedes Benz 320 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing