Mercedes 208d (1991)
1991 Mercedes 208d
CarHunch analysed 835 real MOT records for the 1991 Mercedes 208d. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1991 Mercedes 208D is exceptionally reliable, with a 90% first-time pass rate that soundly beats the UK average of 80%. However, 40% of these vehicles have suffered a dangerous defect at some point, which is a meaningful concern for any buyer and suggests careful pre-purchase inspection is essential.
These are genuinely well-maintained examples, averaging just 0.05 failures and 0.1 advisories per test—testament to the 208D's bulletproof diesel engineering. The median mileage of just under 99,000 miles is low for a 1991, meaning most surviving examples are garage queens or light-use vehicles; if you find one with significantly higher mileage, ask detailed questions about service history before committing.
What to check before buying a 1991 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (100%) | 832 | 0.9% | 0.05 |
| Petrol (0%) | 3 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 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 1991 Mercedes 208d vehicles fall between 80,152 and 245,497 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1991 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
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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
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25.5%
Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively
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23.6%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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23.6%
Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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21.8%
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. 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.