MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ 280s year 1968

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ 280 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:79.60%

(The average a petrol MERCEDES BENZ 280 year 1968 passes without issue)

Based on:2,142 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	83
Registration plate lamp issues	35
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	31
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	29
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	26
Rear brake binding	26
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	25
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	24
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	20
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	15
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	14
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	11
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Windscreen washer not working	8
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Brake pipe excessively corroded	8
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	7
Registration plate issues	7
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	7
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	6
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	6
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	6
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	5
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	5
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	5
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	4
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	4
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	4
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Power steering malfunctioning \|2.3.3a\|	3
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	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 Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	3
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	3
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	3
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	3
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Rear brake application uneven	3
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	3
front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	3
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Rear Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Rear brake caliper locking device insecure \|3.5.1l\|	3
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	3
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	3
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.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
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Offside Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	2
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	2
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))	2
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Sub-frame rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Front Body or chassis is cracked, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Rear Body or chassis is cracked, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Nearside 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
Speedometer cannot be illuminated. \|6.7.3\|	2
Offside Outer Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	2
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	2
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps \|1.7.4b\|	2
Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	2
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	2
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Centre Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	2
Nearside Front Position lamp not working \|4.2.1 \|a\|\|	2
Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	2
Windscreen washer control missing \|8.2.1a\|	2
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	2
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	2
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	2
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	2
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	2
Nearside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Rear brake caliper locking device insecure \|3.5.1l\|	2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	2
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	2
Brake servo leaking \|3.6.C.1c\|	2
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	2
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	2
Offside Front Brake pipe leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Power steering pump leaking from a failed joint \|2.3.3b\|	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.

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

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	83
Registration plate lamp issues	35
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	31
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	29
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	26
Rear brake binding	26
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	25
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	24
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	20
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	15
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	14
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	11
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Windscreen washer not working	8
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Brake pipe excessively corroded	8
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	7
Registration plate issues	7
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	7
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	6
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	6
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	6
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	5
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	5
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	5
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	4
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	4
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	4
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Power steering malfunctioning \|2.3.3a\|	3
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	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 Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	3
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	3
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	3
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	3
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Rear brake application uneven	3
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	3
front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	3
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Rear Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Rear brake caliper locking device insecure \|3.5.1l\|	3
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	3
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	3
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.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
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Offside Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	2
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	2
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))	2
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Sub-frame rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Front Body or chassis is cracked, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Rear Body or chassis is cracked, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Nearside 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
Speedometer cannot be illuminated. \|6.7.3\|	2
Offside Outer Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	2
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	2
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps \|1.7.4b\|	2
Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	2
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	2
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Centre Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	2
Nearside Front Position lamp not working \|4.2.1 \|a\|\|	2
Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	2
Windscreen washer control missing \|8.2.1a\|	2
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	2
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	2
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	2
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	2
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	2
Nearside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Rear brake caliper locking device insecure \|3.5.1l\|	2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	2
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	2
Brake servo leaking \|3.6.C.1c\|	2
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	2
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	2
Offside Front Brake pipe leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Power steering pump leaking from a failed joint \|2.3.3b\|	2

MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ 280s year 1968

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