MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ 312s year 1997

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ 312 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:62.84%

(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ 312 year 1997 passes without issue)

Based on:5,393 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	827
Brake pipe excessively corroded	592
Registration plate lamp issues	574
Headlamp aim out of alignment	438
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	264
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	262
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	246
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	193
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	178
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	135
Registration plate issues	117
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	106
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	97
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	93
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	84
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	84
Windscreen has damage	83
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	82
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	82
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	81
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	79
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	70
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	67
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	67
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	62
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	60
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	60
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	56
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	53
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	51
Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	48
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	47
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	42
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	42
Rear brake binding	40
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	39
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	39
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	38
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	37
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	36
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	36
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	35
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	35
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	35
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	34
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	34
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	33
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	33
Brake load sensing valve seized \|3.6.E.3\|	32
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	32
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	32
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	32
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	31
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	30
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	29
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	29
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	28
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	28
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	27
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	27
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	26
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	26
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	26
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	26
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	25
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	25
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	25
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	25
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	23
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	23
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	22
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	22
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	21
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	20
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	20
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	20
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	20
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	20
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	19
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	19
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	18
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	18
Rear brake application uneven	18
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	18
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	18
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	18
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	17
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened \|3.5.1b\|	17
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	17
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Front brake application uneven	16
Brake load sensing valve linkage obviously incorrectly adjusted \|3.6.E.3\|	16
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	16
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	16
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	16
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	16
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	16
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	15
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	15
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	15
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	14
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	14
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	14
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	14
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	13
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	13
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	13
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	13
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	13
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	12
Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	12
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Nearside Front Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	12
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| incomplete \|1.1.4a\|	12
Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	12
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	12
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	12
Nearside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing bolt insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	12
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	11
Brake hose damaged	11
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	11
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	11
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	11
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	11
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	11
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	11
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	11
Power steering malfunctioning \|2.3.3a\|	11
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely by positive means \|7.2.4b\|	11
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	11
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	11
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	10
Offside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	10
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	10
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	10
Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only \|3.1.2\|	10
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	10
Nearside Rear Leaf spring saddle is moving relative to the spring \|2.4.B.7a\|	10
Nearside Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	10
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	9
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	9
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9
Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| incomplete \|1.1.4a\|	9
Nearside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	9
Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	9
Rear Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	9
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	9
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	9
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	9
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	8
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	8
Front Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened \|3.5.1b\|	8
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	8
Centre Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened \|3.5.1b\|	8
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	8
Nearside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	8
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing \|8.2.2\|	8
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	8
Offside Rear Leaf spring shackle bracket loose \|2.4.B.6a\|	8
Offside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing bolt insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	8
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	7
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure \|2.4.G.1\|	7
Offside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	7
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	7
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	7
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	7
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	7
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	7
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	7
Offside Rear Leaf spring saddle is moving relative to the spring \|2.4.B.7a\|	7
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	7
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	7
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	7
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Rear Leaf spring anchor bracket loose \|2.4.B.6a\|	7
Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	7
Offside Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Rear Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	7
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	7
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	7
Brake pedal anti-slip provision worn smooth \|3.3.A.1b\|	7
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	7
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	7
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	7

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 312s year 1997

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