Mercedes 230 E (1988)
1988 Mercedes 230 E
CarHunch has 395 1988 Mercedes 230 E vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.
Moderate sample. 395 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.
No MOT data available for this vehicle type
The 1988 Mercedes 230 E 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.
Got a specific Mercedes 230 E 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 1988 Mercedes 230 E in the DVLA light-vehicle database, so we cannot compare its pass rate against the UK average or draw conclusions about its reliability from test records. What we do know is that 395 examples of this model are registered, with an average mileage of 244,231 miles—exceptionally high for a car now 36 years old, suggesting most survivors are either cherished classics or have lived hard lives. These are robust, well-engineered German saloons from the late 1980s, but at this age, any purchase should be guided by a pre-purchase inspection from a specialist Mercedes technician rather than MOT history alone. Look for evidence of regular servicing, welding repairs, and whether the engine and gearbox have been rebuilt or refreshed—these factors matter far more than test statistics at this stage of the car's life.
We have 395 1988 Mercedes 230 E 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
Before you buy a 1988 Mercedes 230 E
Based on MOT data from 395 vehicles — here's what to check.
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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. -
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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
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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 5,290 Mercedes 230 E vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Or browse all models: Mercedes →
Compare with another model
See how the 1988 Mercedes 230 E stacks up against a rival.