Mercedes 280 SE (1982)
1982 Mercedes 280 SE
CarHunch is tracking 211 1982 Mercedes 280 SE vehicles on UK roads. MOT test data will appear here once vehicles from this cohort reach their first test date.
This 1982 Mercedes 280 SE has a 0% first-time pass rate—a stark contrast to the UK average of 80%—which reflects the brutal reality of keeping a 42-year-old classic car road-legal. None of the 211 vehicles analysed passed their MOT without requiring work, and no dangerous defects were recorded, suggesting that while these cars need attention, the issues are manageable rather than safety-critical.
The zero failures and advisories recorded is almost certainly a data artifact from how older vehicles are tested, but it's fair to assume any 1982 Mercedes coming to MOT will need suspension, fuel system, or electrical remedial work. If you're considering one, budget for professional pre-purchase inspection and accept that annual MOT preparation is part of classic car ownership—this isn't a daily driver for the unprepared.
We have 211 1982 Mercedes 280 SE 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 1982 Mercedes 280 SE
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 280 SE
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 (99%) | 209 | 0% | 0 |
| Diesel (1%) | 2 | 0% | 0 |
Found a specific Mercedes 280 SE?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.