Mercedes 208d Swb (1999)
1999 Mercedes 208d Swb
CarHunch analysed 141 real MOT records for the 1999 Mercedes 208d Swb. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1999 Mercedes 208D SWB is a genuinely unreliable proposition: only 16.6% pass first time against the UK average of 80%, making it a vehicle you'd expect to fail its MOT and require repairs before it can be driven legally. The dangerous defect rate of 5.7% is mercifully below the serious-concern threshold, but the median CarHunch score of 55 reflects a fundamentally tired model.
At 146,900 miles median mileage, these vans are well-used workhorses, yet they're still accumulating 0.57 failures and 1.4 advisories per test—suggesting chronic wear rather than a few fixable problems. Before buying one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine bay and cooling system, because the failure patterns on this cohort suggest you'll be spending money on repairs regularly.
What to check before buying a 1999 Mercedes 208d Swb
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 208d Swb
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Mercedes 208d Swb 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 1999 Mercedes 208d Swb vehicles fall between 125,215 and 173,921 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Mercedes 208d Swb?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.