Mercedes Benz 500 (1989)
1989 Mercedes Benz 500
CarHunch analysed 424 real MOT records for the 1989 Mercedes Benz 500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1989 Mercedes-Benz 500 trails the UK average by 3.1 percentage points with a 76.9% pass rate, and nearly a quarter of these cars (23.8%) have recorded dangerous defects—a significant buyer concern that warrants pre-purchase inspection. This is a genuinely old car, and while the median mileage of 129,178 is reasonable for a 35-year-old, the average failure count of 2.63 per vehicle shows these engines and systems are working hard.
Expect 12.3 advisories per test on average, indicating widespread minor wear across aging components like hoses, seals, and suspension bushes. If you're serious about one, budget for a specialist inspection and factor in that you're buying a high-mileage classic that will require patience and maintenance to keep roadworthy.
What to check before buying a 1989 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.
- ⚠️ 23.8% 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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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 420 | 76.9% | 2.64 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 65% | 1.5 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 95% | 1 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 84.6% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1989 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 1989 Mercedes Benz 500 vehicles fall between 92,881 and 163,002 miles.
1989 Mercedes Benz 500 — Still on the Road
105 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 56% 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 — 1989 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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45.6%
Oil leak
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38.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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34.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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26.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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25.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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23.5%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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23.4%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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21.5%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. 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.