MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ 280s year 1980

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:69.70%

(The average a petrol MERCEDES BENZ 280 year 1980 passes without issue)

Based on:2,132 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	168
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	67
Registration plate lamp issues	51
Rear brake binding	49
Brake pipe excessively corroded	48
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	47
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	46
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	46
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	45
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	44
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	41
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	37
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	34
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	32
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Registration plate issues	26
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	23
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	19
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	19
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	19
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	19
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	18
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	18
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	18
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	16
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	15
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	14
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	14
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	14
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	13
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Offside Rear 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 dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	10
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	10
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	9
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	9
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	7
Offside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Rear Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	7
Front brake application uneven	7
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Rear brake application uneven	7
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	7
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	7
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	7
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	7
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	6
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	6
Nearside Rear front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	6
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	6
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	5
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Nearside Front passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.4\|	5
Nearside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	5
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Rear Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Front Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Front Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	5
Offside Front Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	5
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	5
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	4
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	4
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Nearside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	4
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	4
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	4
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	4
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding \|1.2.1 \|f\|\|	4
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	4
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	4
Offside Front An item not tested \|Manual\|	4
Front passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.4\|	4
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	4
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	4
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	4
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	4
Offside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	4
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Offside Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	3
An item not tested \|Manual\|	3
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	3
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill \|5.3.6 \|a\| \|i\|\|	3
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	3
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	3
Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Nearside Outer Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	3
Offside Rear front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))	3
Nearside Front Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	3
Windscreen has damage	3
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	3
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	3
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the seat \|5.2.1a\|	3
Drivers seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.5 (b) (ii))	3
Offside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Passengers seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.6 (a) (i))	3
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	3
Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Horn control missing \|1.6.1\|	3
front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Rear Position lamp not working \|4.2.1 \|a\|\|	2
Speedometer cannot be illuminated \|7.8 \|c\| \|ii\|\|	2
Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working \|4.9.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	2
Offside Rear Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt stitching badly frayed \|5.2.2b\|	2
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	2
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded outer sill \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Nearside Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	2
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	2
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	2
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	2
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill \|5.3.6 \|a\| \|i\|\|	2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	2
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged \|3.6.B.4d\|	2
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	2
Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|4.1.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	2
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	2
Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))	2
Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))	2
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	2
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Front Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, 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 Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.5 \|b\| \|i\|\|	2
Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	2
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	2
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	2
Offside Inner Front Lower Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Offside Inner Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	2
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt affected by an insecure seat fixing \|5.2.1b\|	2
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	2
Offside Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	2
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Nearside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	2
Offside Front Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image too far to the left \|1.6.B4\|	2
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	2
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the seat \|5.2.1a\|	2
Offside Front Steering arm damaged and unserviceable \|2.2.C.1d\|	2
Nearside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	2
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Fuel system component insecure pump \|7.2.1\|	2
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding Also brake disc rusting (1.2.1 (f))	2
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	2
Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	2
Nearside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	2
Nearside Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	2
Centre Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	2
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	2
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	2
Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	2
Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	2
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	2
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	2
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	2
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	2
Offside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely by positive means \|7.2.4b\|	2
Offside Rear brake caliper has restricted free movement \|3.5.1k\|	2
Offside Rear Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Inner Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	2
Nearside Front An item not tested \|Manual\|	2
Windscreen washer not working	2
Nearside Outer Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Outer Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	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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MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ 280s year 1980

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