Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1989 Mercedes 300 Ce Auto?

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 1989 Mercedes 300 Ce Auto?

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 1989 Mercedes 300 Ce Auto?

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 1989 Mercedes 300 Ce Auto?

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 300 Ce Auto (1989)

144 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.6% first-time pass rate

1989 Mercedes 300 Ce Auto

CarHunch analysed 144 real MOT records for the 1989 Mercedes 300 Ce Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1989 Mercedes 300 CE Auto is a reliability concern: only 60% pass MOT first time against the UK average of 80%, and remarkably, the single petrol variant in this dataset shows a 0% pass rate, suggesting serious systemic issues with this specific engine configuration at this age. No vehicles have ever recorded a dangerous defect, which is a bright spot, but the median CarHunch score of 50 reflects an overall below-average proposition.

With an average mileage of 99,109 miles for a 35-year-old car, these vehicles are well-used, yet they're averaging almost zero failures and advisories per inspection—a peculiar disconnect that likely reflects survivor bias (only the most determined keepers maintain these cars through to MOT age). If you're seriously considering one, get a pre-purchase inspection from a Mercedes specialist, as the MOT pass data suggests only exceptionally well-maintained examples are worth the ownership cost.

Below average reliability 79.4% below UK average

0.6%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.01

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1989 Mercedes 300 Ce Auto

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 300 Ce Auto

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	143	0%	0
Other (1%)	1	80%	2

MOT History Averages

1.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.01

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Mercedes 300 Ce Auto?

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Other model years — Mercedes 300 Ce Auto:

1988