Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1982 Mercedes 230 Te?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1982 Mercedes 230 Te?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1982 Mercedes 230 Te?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1982 Mercedes 230 Te?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mercedes 230 Te (1982)

209 real MOT outcomes analysed

1982 Mercedes 230 Te

CarHunch has 209 1982 Mercedes 230 Te vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1982 Mercedes 230 Te 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.

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No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific Mercedes 230 Te 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.

The 1982 Mercedes 230 TE is not represented in the DVLA's light-vehicle MOT database, so pass rates and defect statistics aren't available for this cohort. These are classic vehicles now—over 40 years old—and any still in regular use are likely either cherished collector cars or owned by enthusiasts committed to proper maintenance rather than part of a typical MOT sample.

If you're considering one, expect to rely on specialist knowledge rather than modern MOT data: find a Mercedes-knowledgeable mechanic who can assess the specific example you're looking at, particularly the engine gaskets, fuel system, and electrical components which commonly need attention on cars of this age. Given the rarity of survivors in regular testing, any 230 TE you find has already proven itself robust enough to reach this point—but verify its documented service history before committing.

MOT statistics not available

We have 209 1982 Mercedes 230 Te 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

Check on the official DVSA service →

Before you buy a 1982 Mercedes 230 Te

Based on MOT data from 209 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 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.
🔍 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 →
📄 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 1,552 Mercedes 230 Te vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 24.1%

374

Green 14.4%

223

White 13.1%

203

Red 12.8%

198

Silver 10.1%

156

Cream 6.7%

104

Grey 6.6%

103

Beige 3.7%

Gold 3.3%

Brown 2.3%

Black 1.5%

Yellow 1.5%

Other model years — Mercedes 230 Te: All 230 Te years → Which year to buy? →

1981 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987

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