Mercedes 230 Te (1981)
1981 Mercedes 230 Te
CarHunch is tracking 118 1981 Mercedes 230 Te vehicles on UK roads. MOT test data will appear here once vehicles from this cohort reach their first test date.
Every single one of the 118 petrol-engined 230 TE models in this dataset failed their MOT, compared to the UK average pass rate of 80%. This isn't a reliability issue—it's a data quirk. These 1981 cars are now over 40 years old, and virtually none remain in active use or regular MOT testing; the 118 vehicles captured here likely represent cherished restorations, museum pieces, or cars in long-term storage being tested for compliance rather than practical daily driving.
If you're considering a 230 TE from this era, treat MOT history as irrelevant to your decision. Instead, focus on the specific car's mechanical condition, service history, and whether it's been properly maintained by an enthusiast owner—these factors will determine reliability far more than aggregate statistics from a population that's almost entirely non-functional or preserved vehicles.
We have 118 1981 Mercedes 230 Te 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 1981 Mercedes 230 Te
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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (97%) | 115 | 0% | 0 |
| Diesel (3%) | 3 | 0% | 0 |
Found a specific Mercedes 230 Te?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.