MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ 208s year 1996

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ 208 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:61.73%

(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ 208 year 1996 passes without issue)

Based on:15,830 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Registration plate lamp issues	2091
Brake pipe excessively corroded	1782
Headlamp aim out of alignment	1374
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	948
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	753
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	564
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	423
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	415
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	411
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	409
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	407
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	372
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	366
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	334
Registration plate issues	333
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	328
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	319
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	308
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	281
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	273
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	273
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	260
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	259
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	251
Windscreen has damage	247
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	238
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	223
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	213
Rear brake binding	201
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	197
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	189
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	186
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	183
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	182
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	173
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	167
Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	159
Centre Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	158
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	149
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	148
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	146
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	143
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	142
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	137
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	136
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	136
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	131
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	128
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	125
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	124
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	122
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	121
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	117
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	117
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	115
Centre Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	114
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	109
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	108
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	106
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	105
Nearside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	105
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	103
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	103
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	102
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	101
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	101
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	99
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	97
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	94
Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	93
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	93
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	92
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	92
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	91
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	89
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	85
Rear Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	83
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	78
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	78
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	77
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	76
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	76
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	75
Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	73
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	71
Rear brake application uneven	69
Front brake application uneven	69
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	68
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	68
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	67
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	67
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	67
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	65
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	65
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	65
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	63
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	63
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	63
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	59
Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	58
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	57
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	57
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	57
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	55
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	55
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	53
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	53
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	51
Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened \|3.5.1b\|	50
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	50
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	49
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	49
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	48
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	47
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	47
Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	44
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	44
Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	43
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing \|8.2.2\|	43
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	42
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	42
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	42
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	40
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	40
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	40
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	40
Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	39
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	39
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	39
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	39
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	39
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	39
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	39
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	38
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	38
Offside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	38
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	37
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	37
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	37
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	37
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	36
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	36
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	36
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	36
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	36
Brake load sensing valve seized \|3.6.E.3\|	35
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	35
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	35
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	34
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	34
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	34
Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	33
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	33
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	33
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	33
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| incomplete \|1.1.4a\|	32
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	32
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	31
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	31
Nearside Front Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	31
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	30
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	30
Exhaust tailpipe not capable of allowing the emission probe to be inserted \|7.4.B.1\|	30
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	29
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	29
Brake hose damaged	29
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	29
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	29
Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	29
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	29
Offside Front Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	29
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	28
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	28
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	28
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	27
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Brake load sensing valve linkage obviously incorrectly adjusted \|3.6.E.3\|	27
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	27
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	27
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	27
Nearside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	27
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	26
Front Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened \|3.5.1b\|	26
Front Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	26
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	26
Centre Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	26
Offside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	25
Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	25
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	25
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	25
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	25
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	25
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	25
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	24
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	24
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	24
Offside Front brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	24
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade missing \|8.2.2\|	24
Offside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	24
Nearside Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	24
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	23
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	23
Spare wheel carrier insecure \|6.4.2\|	22
Offside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	22
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	22
Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red \|1.3.2e\|	22
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely by positive means \|7.2.4b\|	22
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	22
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	22
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	22
Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	22
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not in good working order \|function impaired\| \|1.1.4a\|	22
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	21
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	21
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	21
Nearside front brake juddering severely \|3.7.A.2b\|	21
Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	21
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| incomplete \|1.1.4a\|	21
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| incomplete \|1.1.4a\|	20
Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	20
Offside front brake juddering severely \|3.7.A.2b\|	20
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	20
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	20
Nearside Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	20
An item not tested \|Manual\|	19
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	19
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Nearside Front brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	19
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	19
Nearside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing bolt insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	19
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	19
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	19

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ 208s year 1996

Find us on Facebook