MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ 300s year 1988

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:67.65%

(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ 300 year 1988 passes without issue)

Based on:2,609 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	200
Headlamp aim out of alignment	173
Registration plate lamp issues	140
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	104
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	99
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	91
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	61
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	61
Registration plate issues	52
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	43
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	37
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	36
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	34
Rear brake binding	30
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	30
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	21
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	21
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	21
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	20
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	19
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	19
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	18
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	18
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	18
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	17
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	17
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	16
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	16
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	16
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	16
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	15
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	14
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	14
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	14
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	13
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	13
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	13
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	13
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	13
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Rear brake application uneven	13
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	13
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	12
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	12
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	12
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	11
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	11
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	11
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	10
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Windscreen has damage	10
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	10
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	9
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	9
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	9
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	9
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	9
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	8
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	8
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	8
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	8
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	8
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	7
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Nearside Rear Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	7
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	7
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	7
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	6
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	6
Front Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	6
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	6
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	6
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Centre Rear Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	6
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	6
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	6
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	5
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	5
Offside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	5
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	5
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	5
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	5
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Nearside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	5
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	5
Rear fog lamp not working \|4.5.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	5
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	5
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	5
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	5
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	4
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	4
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the offside \|3.7.C.2\|	4
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	4
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Front brake application uneven	4
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	4
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	4
Windscreen washer not working	4
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	4
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	4
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	3
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	3
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	3
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	3
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	3
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Rear fog lamp insecure \|1.3.2a\|	3
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	3
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	3
Offside Rear Upper Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	3
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Brake hose damaged	3
Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	3
Nearside Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	3
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	3
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	3
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	3
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
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\|	3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	3
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	3
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	3
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	3
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	3
Nearside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.C.3c\|	3
Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	3
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	3
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Nearside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	3
Nearside Front Brake pipe leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	3
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	3
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	3
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	3
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	3

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 diesel MERCEDES BENZ 300s year 1988

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