Mercedes 280 Te Auto (1983)
1983 Mercedes 280 Te Auto
CarHunch has 405 1983 Mercedes 280 Te Auto vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.
Moderate sample. 405 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.
No MOT data available for this vehicle type
The 1983 Mercedes 280 Te Auto 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.
Got a specific Mercedes 280 Te Auto 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.
MOT test data is not available for this 1983 Mercedes 280 TE Auto cohort in the DVLA light-vehicle database, so we cannot provide pass rates or defect statistics. What we do know is that 405 examples of this classic estate car remain registered, almost all petrol-powered, suggesting these W123-generation Mercedes have proven durable enough to survive four decades on the road.
The 280 TE was a premium, understated family hauler built for longevity—the kind of car owners kept rather than scrapped—so surviving examples tend to be well-maintained by enthusiasts. If you're considering one, focus on a pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes specialist rather than MOT history: check the cooling system, suspension bushes, and interior electrics, as age-related wear rather than structural rust is the typical concern with these cars.
We have 405 1983 Mercedes 280 Te Auto 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
Before you buy a 1983 Mercedes 280 Te Auto
Based on MOT data from 405 vehicles — here's what to check.
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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. -
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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
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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
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Colour Breakdown
Based on 2,679 Mercedes 280 Te Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Or browse all models: Mercedes →
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