Mercedes Benz 300 MOT failures and reliability
In 2023 the Mercedes Benz 300 took 2,933 MOT tests in Britain and passed 76% of them first time, above the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.
- MOT tests in 2023
- 2,933
- First-time pass rate
- 76%
- All cars
- 71%
What the 300 fails on
Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.
- Lights and electrics12.4% (all cars 11.3%)
- Suspension7.2% (all cars 9.0%)
- Brakes7.0% (all cars 6.8%)
- Body and structure6.0% (all cars 3.5%)
- Visibility4.6% (all cars 4.8%)
- Exhaust and emissions3.5% (all cars 3.1%)
- Steering2.5% (all cars 1.8%)
- Tyres1.9% (all cars 6.4%)
Most common failure items
Share of tests on which each item was recorded.
- Position lamp: not working 2.5%
- Headlamp aim: too low 2.1%
- Rear fog lamp: not working 2.0%
- Ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 1.7%
- Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength 1.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively 1.5%
- Headlamp aim: too high 1.4%
- Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 1.4%
Most common advisories
- Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 13.7%
- Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material 12.5%
- Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 6.6%
- Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 6.5%
- Coil spring: corroded 5.9%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases 4.6%
- Wheel bearings: has slight play 4.4%
- Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 3.1%
Pass rate by year of registration
Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 386 | 77% |
| 1989 | 535 | 80% |
| 1990 | 305 | 76% |
| 1991 | 403 | 73% |
| 1992 | 420 | 74% |
Check a particular 300
Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.
Other Mercedes Benz models
- Mercedes Benz C Class
- Mercedes Benz A Class
- Mercedes Benz E Class
- Mercedes Benz Vito
- Mercedes Benz GLA
- Mercedes Benz GLC
- Mercedes Benz B Class
- Mercedes Benz SLK
- Mercedes Benz CLA
- Mercedes Benz ML
- Mercedes Benz CLK
- Mercedes Benz S Class
- Mercedes Benz GLE
- Mercedes Benz CLS
- Mercedes Benz Sprinter
- Mercedes Benz SL
- Mercedes Benz Citan
- Mercedes Benz V Class
- Mercedes Benz CLC
- Mercedes Benz SLC
- Mercedes Benz Viano
- Mercedes Benz GL
- Mercedes Benz X Class
- Mercedes Benz CL
- Mercedes Benz 190
- Mercedes Benz GLS
- Mercedes Benz R Class
- Mercedes Benz A 200
- Mercedes Benz G Class
- Mercedes Benz C 320
- Mercedes Benz GT
- Mercedes Benz 500
- Mercedes Benz 280
Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.