Mercedes 230 Te (1985)
1985 Mercedes 230 Te
CarHunch is tracking 225 1985 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 225 petrol-powered 1985 Mercedes 230 TE models in this dataset failed their MOT on first attempt — a stark 0% pass rate compared to the UK average of 80%. With zero dangerous defects recorded and zero average failures or advisories per vehicle, the pattern suggests these cars simply aren't being retested after initial failure, likely because they've been taken off the road or scrapped rather than repaired.
At nearly 40 years old, any 230 TE still in circulation is a classic or restoration project rather than a practical daily driver. If you're considering one, expect it to need significant work to meet modern emissions and safety standards — none of the survivors in active MOT testing have managed it yet, so budget accordingly and factor in specialist Mercedes knowledge for repairs.
We have 225 1985 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 1985 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 (96%) | 215 | 0% | 0 |
| Diesel (4%) | 10 | 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.