MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ 308s year 1998

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:61.67%

(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ 308 year 1998 passes without issue)

Based on:16,022 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	2230
Registration plate lamp issues	1981
Brake pipe excessively corroded	1507
Headlamp aim out of alignment	1374
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	858
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	773
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	700
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	675
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	568
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	485
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	365
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	339
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	327
Registration plate issues	315
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	286
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	284
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	273
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	270
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	270
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	262
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	249
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	246
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	237
Windscreen has damage	235
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	230
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	223
Rear brake binding	203
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	190
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	180
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	180
Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	174
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	171
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	139
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	135
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	128
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	123
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	122
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	121
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	118
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	118
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	112
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	109
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	106
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	106
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	105
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	103
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	103
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	102
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	101
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	98
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	97
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	93
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	93
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	92
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	90
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	90
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	89
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	88
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	87
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	85
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	84
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	84
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	83
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	78
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	78
Rear Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	77
Rear brake application uneven	76
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	75
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	75
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	74
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	74
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	73
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	73
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	70
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	69
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	69
Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	68
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	67
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	65
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	64
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	62
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	61
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	59
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	56
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	56
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	55
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	53
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	53
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	53
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	53
Nearside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	51
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	51
Brake load sensing valve seized \|3.6.E.3\|	48
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	48
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	48
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	48
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	48
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	48
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	47
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	46
Front brake application uneven	46
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	45
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	45
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	44
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	44
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	44
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	43
Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened \|3.5.1b\|	43
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	42
Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	42
Brake load sensing valve linkage obviously incorrectly adjusted \|3.6.E.3\|	42
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	41
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	40
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	40
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	40
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	40
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	39
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	39
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	39
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	39
Brake hose damaged	39
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	39
Offside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	39
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	38
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	38
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	37
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	37
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	36
Nearside Front Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	36
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	36
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	35
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	35
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	35
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	35
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	35
Nearside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing bolt insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	35
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	35
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing \|8.2.2\|	35
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	34
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	34
Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	34
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	34
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	33
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	32
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	32
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	32
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	32
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	31
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| incomplete \|1.1.4a\|	31
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	31
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	31
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	30
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	30
Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	30
Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	30
Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	30
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	29
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	28
Offside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing bolt insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	28
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	28
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	27
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	27
Nearside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	27
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	27
Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	27
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	26
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	26
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	25
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	25
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	24
Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	24
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	24
Spare wheel carrier insecure \|6.4.2\|	23
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	23
Nearside Rear Leaf spring anchor bracket loose \|2.4.B.6a\|	23
Nearside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	23
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	23
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	23
Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	23
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	23
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	22
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	22
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	22
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	22
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	22
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	22
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	22
Power steering malfunctioning \|2.3.3a\|	22
Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	22
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	21
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	21
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	21
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	21
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	21
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	21
Front Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	20
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	20
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	20
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	20
Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	20
Offside Rear Leaf spring anchor bracket loose \|2.4.B.6a\|	20
Brake valve damaged \|3.6.A.2c\|	20
Nearside Rear Leaf spring saddle is moving relative to the spring \|2.4.B.7a\|	20
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	20
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| incomplete \|1.1.4a\|	20
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	20
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Nearside Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	19
Offside Rear Leaf spring saddle is moving relative to the spring \|2.4.B.7a\|	19
Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	19
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	19
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely by positive means \|7.2.4b\|	19
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	19
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	19
Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only \|3.1.2\|	19
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	19
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	19

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 1998

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