Mercedes Benz 412 D (1998)
1998 Mercedes Benz 412 D
CarHunch analysed 210 real MOT records for the 1998 Mercedes Benz 412 D. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1998 Mercedes-Benz 412 D passes its MOT first time just 71% of the time, nine points below the UK average of 80%, and nearly 29% of examples have recorded dangerous defects—a serious concern for a buyer. The combination of a weak pass rate and high dangerous defect prevalence suggests this model demands scrupulous pre-purchase inspection and robust maintenance discipline.
At an average mileage of 229,000 km, these vans are heavily used workhorses, and the data bears that out: they rack up nearly 2.7 failures per test and 14.5 advisories, indicating wear-related issues are endemic. Before committing to one, have an independent Mercedes-Benz specialist conduct a pre-purchase inspection focusing on brake systems, suspension, and engine seals—the 412 D's weak spot areas.
What to check before buying a 1998 Mercedes Benz 412 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.
- ⚠️ 28.6% 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 412 D
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Mercedes Benz 412 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 412 D vehicles fall between 131,408 and 302,407 miles.
1998 Mercedes Benz 412 D — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 20 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (44% 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 412 D?
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