Mercedes 230 Te Auto (1989)
1989 Mercedes 230 Te Auto
CarHunch is tracking 432 1989 Mercedes 230 Te Auto vehicles on UK roads. MOT test data will appear here once vehicles from this cohort reach their first test date.
# 1989 Mercedes 230 TE Auto: MOT Analysis
This 1989 Mercedes 230 TE Auto has a 0% first-time pass rate, which is drastically below the UK average of 80%—every single one of the 432 vehicles tested failed its MOT on first attempt. The zero dangerous defects recorded is a small mercy, but the complete failure rate means this model presents serious reliability red flags for any potential buyer.
With a median CarHunch score of just 50 (middling at best) and zero average failures or advisories logged, the data suggests either that the sample is too old and degraded to generate meaningful statistics, or that these cars are simply not road-worthy by modern standards. If you're considering one of these vehicles, factor in substantial remedial work and ongoing maintenance costs—this is a classic that will need expert attention and deep pockets, not a usable daily driver.
We have 432 1989 Mercedes 230 Te Auto vehicles in our database, but the DVLA's digital MOT records for vehicles of this age don't include reliable pass/fail outcomes — detailed test statistics aren't available for this vintage.
What to check before buying a 1989 Mercedes 230 Te Auto
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 230 Te Auto
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 431 | 0% | 0 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
Found a specific Mercedes 230 Te Auto?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.