Mercedes Benz 500 (1982)
1982 Mercedes Benz 500
CarHunch analysed 148 real MOT records for the 1982 Mercedes Benz 500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1982 Mercedes-Benz 500 passes its MOT first time in just 70.9% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, and one in five of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a red flag for safety-conscious buyers. Petrol engines dominate this era, so the shortfall reflects genuine age-related wear rather than fuel-type variation.
These cars are averaging 111,412 miles, which is reasonable for a 42-year-old classic, yet they're still racking up 2.28 failures and 8.8 advisories per test, suggesting deferred maintenance is common among owners. Before purchasing, budget for a pre-buy inspection by a Mercedes specialist to identify which systems (likely brakes, suspension, and electrics on a car this old) need immediate attention.
What to check before buying a 1982 Mercedes Benz 500
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.
- ⚠️ 20.3% 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 500
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1982 Mercedes Benz 500 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 1982 Mercedes Benz 500 vehicles fall between 76,471 and 135,148 miles.
1982 Mercedes Benz 500 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (23% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Mercedes Benz 500
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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32.3%
Oil leak
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24.1%
Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel
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21.8%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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21.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17.7%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
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15.5%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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15%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes Benz 500?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.