Mercedes 300 D Diesel Auto (1988)

151 real MOT outcomes analysed • 1.1% first-time pass rate

1988 Mercedes 300 D Diesel Auto

CarHunch analysed 151 real MOT records for the 1988 Mercedes 300 D Diesel Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 78.9% below UK average
1.1%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
234,673
typical mileage
87,849–234,673 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.01
avg MOT failures per car
over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1988 Mercedes 300 D Diesel 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 D Diesel Auto

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
Diesel (98%) 148 1.1% 0.01
Petrol (2%) 3 0% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1988 Mercedes 300 D Diesel Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

87,849
low mileage
234,673
typical
234,673
high mileage

Half of all 1988 Mercedes 300 D Diesel Auto vehicles fall between 87,849 and 234,673 miles.

MOT History Averages

1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.01
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Mercedes 300 D Diesel Auto?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Mercedes 300 D Diesel Auto:

1986 1987 1989