Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Mercedes 190 Mk2?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1987 Mercedes 190 Mk2?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1987 Mercedes 190 Mk2?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1987 Mercedes 190 Mk2?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mercedes 190 Mk2 (1987)

604 real MOT outcomes analysed

1987 Mercedes 190 Mk2

CarHunch has 604 1987 Mercedes 190 Mk2 vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Colour Breakdown Compare Models

No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1987 Mercedes 190 Mk2 doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other Mercedes vehicles below.

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No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific Mercedes 190 Mk2 you're checking out?

The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.

There is no MOT test data available for the 1987 Mercedes 190 MK2 in the DVLA light-vehicle database, so we cannot draw reliability conclusions from inspection records. What we do know is that this was a landmark compact executive saloon—the first of the W201 generation—that became a benchmark for build quality and longevity in its class, with many examples still in use today after 35+ years. Any 1987 example you're considering will have long since passed out of regular MOT testing cycles, so your assessment must rely on the vehicle's service history, visible condition, and whether it has been properly maintained. Have a pre-purchase inspection performed by a Mercedes specialist who understands the W201 platform, and expect running costs to reflect the age and complexity of the mechanical and electrical systems.

MOT statistics not available

We have 604 1987 Mercedes 190 Mk2 vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT

Check on the official DVSA service →

Before you buy a 1987 Mercedes 190 Mk2

Based on MOT data from 604 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,730 Mercedes 190 Mk2 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 23.8%

649

White 22.1%

602

Blue 15.1%

412

Cream 8.2%

224

Silver 7.4%

203

Green 7.3%

198

Black 6.7%

184

Grey 3.9%

107

Gold 2.9%

Beige 1.3%

Brown 1%

Yellow 0.3%

Other model years — Mercedes 190 Mk2: All 190 Mk2 years → Which year to buy? →

1984 1985 1986 1988

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