Mercedes 208d (1989)
1989 Mercedes 208d
CarHunch analysed 193 real MOT records for the 1989 Mercedes 208d. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1989 Mercedes 208d
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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (99%) | 192 | 6.8% | 0.44 |
| Petrol (1%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1989 Mercedes 208d 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 208d vehicles fall between 93,616 and 169,309 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Mercedes 208d
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
32.7%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
-
32.7%
Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2
-
30.9%
Oil leak, but not excessive
-
25.5%
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
25.5%
Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively
-
23.6%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
-
23.6%
Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
21.8%
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes 208d?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.