Mercedes Benz 420 (1988)
1988 Mercedes Benz 420
CarHunch analysed 533 real MOT records for the 1988 Mercedes Benz 420. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1988 Mercedes Benz 420
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.
- ⚠️ 21.6% 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 420
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 527 | 73.5% | 2.76 |
| Diesel (1%) | 5 | 85.6% | 1.2 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 25% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 Mercedes Benz 420 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 1988 Mercedes Benz 420 vehicles fall between 85,186 and 151,447 miles.
1988 Mercedes Benz 420 — Still on the Road
146 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 70% of the peak remain.
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 — 1988 Mercedes Benz 420
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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36.7%
Oil leak
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24.9%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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24.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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23.9%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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23.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20.2%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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19.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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18%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes Benz 420?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.