MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ 300s year 1986

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:67.92%

(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ 300 year 1986 passes without issue)

Based on:1,465 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Registration plate lamp issues	83
Brake pipe excessively corroded	81
Headlamp aim out of alignment	70
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	45
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	44
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	44
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	35
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	27
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	27
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	24
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	21
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	19
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	18
Registration plate issues	18
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	15
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	14
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	14
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	13
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	13
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Rear brake binding	12
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	12
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	11
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	11
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	11
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	10
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	10
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	10
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	9
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	9
Rear brake application uneven	9
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	8
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	8
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	8
Windscreen washer not working	8
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	8
Windscreen has damage	8
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	8
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	7
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	7
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	7
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	7
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	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 Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	5
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	5
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	5
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	5
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	5
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working \|4.9.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	4
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	4
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	4
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	3
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	3
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	3
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	3
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	3
Rear Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	3
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	3
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Front brake application uneven	3
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Offside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.C.3c\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	3
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	3
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	3
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	3
Nearside Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Offside Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Nearside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	3
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	3
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	3
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	3
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	2
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))	2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))	2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	2
brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	2
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	2
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	2
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	2
Nearside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Rear fog lamp tell tale missing \|1.3.1b\|	2
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))	2
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	2
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	2
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	2
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	2
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	2
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Nearside Outer Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| incomplete \|1.1.4a\|	2
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	2
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	2
Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	2
Nearside Outer Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Offside Parking brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.D.3a\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicator insecure \|1.4.A.2b\|	2
Power steering inoperative \|2.3.3a\|	2
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play \|2.5.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	2
Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))	2
Nearside Front 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 Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Offside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	2
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside \|3.7.C.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting \|6.6.6\|	2
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	2
Offside Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only \|3.1.2\|	2
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	2
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	2
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	2
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	2
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| insecure \|1.1.A.3a\|	2
Offside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	2
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	2
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))	2
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	2
Rear Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Front Shock absorber insecure \|2.7.2b\|	2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.C.3c\|	2
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))	2
Exhaust emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2.2.2 (f))	2
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	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.

MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ 300s year 1986

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