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MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ 230s year 1981

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ 230 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:68.44%
(The average a petrol MERCEDES BENZ 230 year 1981 passes without issue)
Based on:1,727 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment105
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively69
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|39
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|36
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|34
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|34
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|33
Registration plate lamp issues32
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|31
Rear brake binding30
Brakes imbalanced across an axle28
Brake hose excessively deteriorated25
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|20
Brake pipe excessively corroded20
Registration plate issues19
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|18
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort18
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|17
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|16
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|16
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|15
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|15
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|14
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|14
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|13
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|12
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|12
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|12
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|11
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|11
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|11
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|11
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|11
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|11
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|10
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|10
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|10
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|10
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|9
Horn not working |1.6.2a|9
Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|9
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|9
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|8
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|8
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|8
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|8
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|8
Front passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.4|7
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|7
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|7
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|7
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|6
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|6
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|6
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|6
Battery insecure |1.9.1|6
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|6
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|6
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|5
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|5
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|5
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|5
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|5
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|5
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement5
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|5
Rear brake application uneven5
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|4
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|4
Nearside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Nearside Front passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.4|4
Emissions not tested |7.0|4
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Nearside Front Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|4
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Nearside Front Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|4
Offside Front Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|4
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|4
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|4
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|4
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|4
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1b|4
Front brake application uneven4
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|4
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|4
Windscreen has damage4
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|3
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|3
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|3
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))3
Rear Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|3
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|3
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))3
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|3
Windscreen washer not working 3
Nearside Inner Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Centre Rear Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|3
Offside Outer Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Offside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|3
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|3
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|3
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|3
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|3
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|3
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|3
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|3
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))3
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))3
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|3
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|3
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|3
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|3
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|3
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|2
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|2
Brake master cylinder fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1e|2
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|2
An item not tested |Manual|2
Rear fog lamp not working |4.5.1 |a| |ii||2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||2
Offside Rear Lower Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not in good working order |function impaired| |1.1.4a|2
Offside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|2
Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|2
Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|2
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Front coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|2
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|2
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Offside Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|2
Offside Front Upper Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))2
Rear Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|2
Nearside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|2
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|2
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Rear Exhaust has a part missing |7.1.1a|2
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage |6.1.C.1|2
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|2
Nearside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced |2.4.G.1|2
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||2
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated |3.6.G.2|2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|2
Nearside Inner Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner wing (5.3.6 (a) (i))2
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|2
Nearside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|2
Front Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|2
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner wing (5.3.6 (a) (i))2
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Power steering component|s| leaking |2.3.3b|2
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated |3.1.3c|2
All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|2
Nearside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|2
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Fuel pipe union leaking |7.2.3|2
Rear Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|2
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.6 |a| |i||2
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))2
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))2
Nearside Outer Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|2
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|2
Centre Steering damper leaking oil |2.2.C.1f|2
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|2
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Offside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|2
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|2
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Rear fog lamp switch faulty |1.3.1a|2
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Inner Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|2
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.A.3|2
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2
Offside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|2

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.

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