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MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ 300s year 1981

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ 300 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:62.72%
(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ 300 year 1981 passes without issue)
Based on:228 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment22
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|15
Brake pipe excessively corroded15
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort14
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively11
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|11
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Registration plate issues6
Brakes imbalanced across an axle6
Registration plate lamp issues6
Rear brake binding6
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|4
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|4
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine |7.4.B.3b|4
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|4
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|4
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|3
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|3
Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|3
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|3
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|3
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine |7.4.B.3b|3
Battery insecure |1.9.1|3
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|2
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|2
Offside Inner Front Upper Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Offside 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 Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|2
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Emissions not tested |7.0|2
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|2
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|2
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|2
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Brake hose excessively deteriorated2
Rear brake application uneven2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Upper Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Nearside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|1
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|1
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by damage |6.1.C.1|1
Nearside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Front Battery insecure |1.9.1|1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Offside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Rear Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|1
Offside Front Direction indicator insecure |1.4.A.2b|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Inner Front Lower Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Offside Front Lower Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Rear Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|1
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Offside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside front parking brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.6a|1
Offside front parking brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.6a|1
Offside Rear fog lamp missing |1.3.2a|1
Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|1
Nearside Axle swivel joint has excessive play |2.5.A.3b|1
Steering wheel retaining device insecure |2.1.6|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Rear Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|1
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Steering column top bearing excessively worn |2.1.2c|1
Offside Inner Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Track rod end damaged and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|1
Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Offside Front Lower Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|1
Rear Exhaust has a part missing |7.1.1a|1
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Inner Rear Lower Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Front Lower Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Offside Inner Front Lower Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Offside Outer Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Nearside Outer Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Outer Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Front Steering damper leaking oil |2.2.C.1f|1
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|1
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|1
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|1
Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front Body or chassis is cracked, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Rear Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light |1.2.1e|1
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|1
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|1
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear An item not tested |Manual|1
Rear fog lamp not working |4.5.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings near shock |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Front Lower Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings seal |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn Upper Wishbone (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings by the coolant bottle |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings seal |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|1
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Front Lower Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (7.1.2 (e))1
Drivers seat insecure backrest broken (6.2.5 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak1
Offside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicators have less than 50% of the light sources illuminating |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by damage shock absorber mounting |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings under the driver`s seat corroded |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Rear brake caliper leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Front brake application uneven1
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator insecure |1.4.A.2b|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement1
An item not tested |Manual|1
Offside Inner Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1

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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