MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ 420s year 1988

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ 420 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:73.94%

(The average a petrol MERCEDES BENZ 420 year 1988 passes without issue)

Based on:5,346 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	318
Brake pipe excessively corroded	161
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	160
Registration plate lamp issues	125
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	120
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	119
Rear brake binding	66
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	65
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	65
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	61
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	60
Registration plate issues	51
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	45
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	41
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	40
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	38
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	30
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	30
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	29
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	27
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	23
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	23
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	22
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	21
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	21
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	20
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	20
Front brake application uneven	19
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	19
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	18
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	18
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	18
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	18
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	18
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	18
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	17
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	17
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	17
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	15
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	15
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	14
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	14
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	13
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	13
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	12
Windscreen washer not working	12
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Offside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	11
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	11
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	10
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	10
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	10
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	10
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	10
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	10
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	10
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	10
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	10
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	9
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	9
Windscreen has damage	9
Rear brake application uneven	9
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	8
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	8
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Front Steering damper leaking oil \|2.2.C.1f\|	7
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	7
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	7
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|5.3.4 \|b\| \|ii\|\|	6
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	6
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	6
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	6
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	6
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	6
Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	6
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	6
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	6
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	6
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	6
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	6
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Rear Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	5
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	5
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	5
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	5
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	5
Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))	5
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	5
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	5
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	5

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.

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	318
Brake pipe excessively corroded	161
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	160
Registration plate lamp issues	125
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	120
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	119
Rear brake binding	66
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	65
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	65
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	61
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	60
Registration plate issues	51
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	45
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	41
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	40
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	38
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	30
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	30
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	29
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	27
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	23
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	23
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	22
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	21
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	21
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	20
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	20
Front brake application uneven	19
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	19
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	18
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	18
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	18
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	18
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	18
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	18
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	17
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	17
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	17
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	15
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	15
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	14
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	14
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	13
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	13
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	12
Windscreen washer not working	12
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Offside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	11
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	11
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	10
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	10
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	10
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	10
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	10
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	10
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	10
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	10
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	10
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	9
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	9
Windscreen has damage	9
Rear brake application uneven	9
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	8
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	8
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Front Steering damper leaking oil \|2.2.C.1f\|	7
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	7
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	7
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|5.3.4 \|b\| \|ii\|\|	6
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	6
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	6
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	6
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	6
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	6
Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	6
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	6
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	6
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	6
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	6
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	6
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Rear Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	5
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	5
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	5
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	5
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	5
Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))	5
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	5
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	5
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	5

MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ 420s year 1988

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