Mercedes Benz 560 (1987)
1987 Mercedes Benz 560
CarHunch analysed 149 real MOT records for the 1987 Mercedes Benz 560. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560 passes its MOT first time in 73% of cases, sitting 7 points below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap that suggests age-related wear is catching up with these nearly four-decade-old cars. Nearly one in five of these vehicles (19.5%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a legitimate concern for buyers weighing up classics in this price bracket.
At an average mileage of 117,000 miles, these cars are typically well-used for their age, yet they're racking up 2.13 failures per test and 9.2 advisories, pointing to ongoing corrosion, mechanical slack, and consumable parts wearing out. Before committing to one, budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on the cooling system, suspension, and fuel delivery components—the issues that tend to trip up older Mercedes repeatedly.
What to check before buying a 1987 Mercedes Benz 560
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.
- 📄 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 560
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%) | 148 | 72.9% | 2.13 |
| LPG (1%) | 1 | 83.3% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Mercedes Benz 560 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 1987 Mercedes Benz 560 vehicles fall between 83,240 and 150,650 miles.
1987 Mercedes Benz 560 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 30 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 81% of the 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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Mercedes Benz 560
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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45.7%
Oil leak
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24.6%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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23.8%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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21.8%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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21.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20.7%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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20.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17.6%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes Benz 560?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.