MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ 308s year 1997

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:60.92%

(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ 308 year 1997 passes without issue)

Based on:21,956 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	3621
Registration plate lamp issues	2669
Brake pipe excessively corroded	2225
Headlamp aim out of alignment	1845
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	1237
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	1163
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	1042
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	998
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	738
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	653
Registration plate issues	484
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	471
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	443
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	417
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	417
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	407
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	403
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	395
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	359
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	358
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	339
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	338
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	331
Windscreen has damage	314
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	307
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	296
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	295
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	294
Rear brake binding	272
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	264
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	222
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	218
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	216
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	203
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	203
Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	199
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	193
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	185
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	181
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	179
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	173
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	170
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	170
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	169
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	154
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	153
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	150
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	149
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	144
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	142
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	135
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	134
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	134
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	134
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	132
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	132
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	128
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	127
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	126
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	126
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	125
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	123
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	123
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	121
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	120
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	119
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	118
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	117
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	115
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	112
Rear Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	112
Rear brake application uneven	111
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	110
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	107
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	105
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	102
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	102
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	99
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	94
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	92
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	92
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	91
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	90
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	90
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	89
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	87
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	86
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	84
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	84
Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	82
Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	82
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	81
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	78
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	78
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	75
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	74
Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	74
Brake load sensing valve seized \|3.6.E.3\|	74
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	73
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	73
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	69
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	69
Brake load sensing valve linkage obviously incorrectly adjusted \|3.6.E.3\|	68
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	68
Front brake application uneven	65
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	65
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	65
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	62
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	61
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	59
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	58
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	58
Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened \|3.5.1b\|	58
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	58
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	57
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	56
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	56
Brake hose damaged	55
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	54
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	54
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	54
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	54
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	53
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	53
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	52
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	52
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	52
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	52
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	52
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	51
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	51
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	51
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing \|8.2.2\|	50
Offside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	50
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	50
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	50
Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	48
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	48
Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	48
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	48
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	47
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	47
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	47
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	47
Nearside Front Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	46
Spare wheel carrier insecure \|6.4.2\|	45
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	44
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	44
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	43
Nearside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	43
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	43
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	43
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	42
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	42
Offside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing bolt insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	42
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	42
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	42
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	42
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	42
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely by positive means \|7.2.4b\|	41
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	41
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	41
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	41
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	40
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	40
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	40
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	40
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	40
Nearside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	39
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	39
Nearside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	39
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	38
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	38
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	38
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	37
Offside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	37
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	36
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	36
Offside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	36
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	35
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	35
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	35
Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	35
Front Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	35
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	34
Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	34
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	34
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure \|2.4.G.1\|	33
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	33
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	32
Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	32
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| incomplete \|1.1.4a\|	32
Nearside Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	32
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	32
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	31
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	31
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	31
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	31
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	31
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	31
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	31
Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	31
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	31
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	30
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	30
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	30
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	29
Nearside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing bolt insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	29
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	29
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade missing \|8.2.2\|	29
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	29
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	29
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	29
Centre Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	29
Brake valve damaged \|3.6.A.2c\|	29
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	29
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	28
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	28
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	28
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| incomplete \|1.1.4a\|	28
Nearside Rear Leaf spring saddle is moving relative to the spring \|2.4.B.7a\|	28
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	27
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	27
Driver`s door does not latch securely closed \|6.2.B.1a\|	27
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	27
Nearside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	27
Offside Rear Leaf spring saddle is moving relative to the spring \|2.4.B.7a\|	27
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| incomplete \|1.1.4a\|	27
Offside Front Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	27
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	27
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	26
Offside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	26
Power steering inoperative \|2.3.3a\|	26

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 1997

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