MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ 308s year 1991

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ 308 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:59.25%

(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ 308 year 1991 passes without issue)

Based on:1,860 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	176
Headlamp aim out of alignment	176
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	154
Brake pipe excessively corroded	143
Registration plate lamp issues	133
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	111
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	76
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	60
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	57
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	56
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	55
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	55
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	45
Registration plate issues	44
Rear brake binding	43
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	43
Rear brake application uneven	39
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	37
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	37
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	36
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	34
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	32
Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	28
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	25
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	25
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	24
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	24
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	23
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	23
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	23
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	22
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	20
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	20
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	20
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	19
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	18
Offside Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	18
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	18
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	18
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	18
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	17
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	17
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	16
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	16
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	16
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	16
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	16
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	16
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	15
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	15
Nearside Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	15
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	15
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	15
Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	15
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Windscreen has damage	14
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	14
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	14
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	14
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	13
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	13
Rear Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	13
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	12
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	12
Front brake application uneven	12
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	12
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	12
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	12
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	12
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	11
Offside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	11
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	11
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	11
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	11
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	11
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	11
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	11
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	10
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	10
Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	10
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	9
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	9
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	9
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	9
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	9
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	9
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	9
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	8
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	8
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	8
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	8
Nearside Side repeater incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	8
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	8
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	8
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	8
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Offside Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete \|3.3.A.1b\|	7
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| incomplete \|1.1.4a\|	7
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	7
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	7
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	7
Offside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	7
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	7
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	7
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	7
Offside Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	7
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	7
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	7
An item not tested \|Manual\|	6
Nearside Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	6
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	6
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	6
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Nearside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	6
Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red \|1.3.2e\|	6
Offside Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	6
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	6
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	6
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	6
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	5
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	5
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| insecure \|1.1.A.3a\|	5
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	5
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	5
Nearside Front Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	5
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	5
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	5
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Offside Front Stub axle has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam \|2.5.A.1a\|	5
Centre Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	5
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	5
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	5
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	5
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	5
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Nearside Front Stub axle has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam \|2.5.A.1a\|	4
Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure \|2.7.2b\|	4
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	4
Rear Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	4
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	4
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	4
Offside Front Leaf spring has excessive side play at eye \|anchor\| \|2.4.B.4\|	4
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	4
Brake load sensing valve seized \|3.6.E.3\|	4
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	4
Offside Front Body insecure and dangerous to other road users \|6.1.B.1b\|	4
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Rear Shock absorber detached \|2.7.2b\|	4
Offside Front Side repeater incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	4
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	4
Offside Side repeater incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Brake hose damaged	4
Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	4
rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4
Indicator switch insecure \|1.4.A.1\|	4
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	4
Offside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Leaf spring has a deteriorated shackle pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.B.2\|	4
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	3
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	3
Rear Body insecure and dangerous to other road users \|6.1.B.1b\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Nearside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	3
Offside Rear Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only \|3.1.2\|	3
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	3
Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	3
Offside Rear Leaf spring fractured \|2.4.B.1a\|	3
Rear Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	3
Nearside Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	3
Exhaust tailpipe not capable of allowing the emission probe to be inserted \|7.4.B.1\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	3
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	3
Nearside Brake cable has restricted free movement \|3.5.1k\|	3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Front brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	3
Front Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	3
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	3
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	3
Nearside Rear Shock absorber insecure \|2.7.2b\|	3
Offside Rear Brake cable has restricted free movement \|3.5.1k\|	3
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Offside Rear Leaf spring cracked \|2.4.B.1a\|	3
Nearside Side repeater excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.4.A.2e\|	3
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Offside Front Shock absorber insecure \|2.7.2b\|	3
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	3
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	3
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	3
Offside Lower Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	3
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	3
Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	3
Nearside Front Side repeater incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	3
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	3
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Offside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	3
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	3
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	3
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Centre Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Offside rear brake grabbing severely \|3.7.A.5b\|	3
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	3
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	3
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	3
Nearside Front Leaf spring has a deteriorated shackle pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.B.2\|	3
Parking brake mechanism/associated mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.1.9\|	3
Nearside Front Headlamp aim headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4b\|	3
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	3
Offside Brake cable has restricted free movement \|3.5.1k\|	3
Vehicle Identification Number not permanently displayed \|6.3.5.a\|	3
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	3
Offside Rear fog lamp insecure \|1.3.2a\|	3
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| insecure \|1.1.A.3a\|	3
Nearside Rear Brake cable has restricted free movement \|3.5.1k\|	3
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	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.

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 308s year 1991

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