MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ 500s year 1989

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ 500 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:75.60%

(The average a petrol MERCEDES BENZ 500 year 1989 passes without issue)

Based on:5,595 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	313
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	181
Brake pipe excessively corroded	154
Registration plate lamp issues	104
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	92
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	86
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	66
Rear brake binding	61
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	61
Registration plate issues	50
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	43
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	42
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	37
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	33
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	33
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	28
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	27
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	26
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	26
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	23
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	22
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	21
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	20
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	19
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	17
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	17
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	17
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	17
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	16
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	15
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	14
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	14
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	13
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	13
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	13
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	13
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	12
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	11
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	11
Offside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	11
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	11
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	11
Windscreen has damage	10
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	10
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	9
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	9
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	9
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	9
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	9
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	9
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	8
Front brake application uneven	8
Front Steering damper leaking oil \|2.2.C.1f\|	8
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	8
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	8
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	8
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	8
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	8
Offside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	8
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration \|7.3.A.2c\|	8
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	7
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	7
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	7
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	7
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	7
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	7
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	6
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Windscreen washer not working	6
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	6
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	6
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	6
Offside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	6
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	6
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	6
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	6
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	6
Steering damper leaking oil \|2.2.C.1f\|	5
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	5
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	5
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	5
Rear Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle \|7.3.A.2b\|	5
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	5
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	5
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	5
Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	5
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated \|3.1.3c\|	5
Brake hose damaged	5
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	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	313
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	181
Brake pipe excessively corroded	154
Registration plate lamp issues	104
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	92
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	86
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	66
Rear brake binding	61
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	61
Registration plate issues	50
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	43
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	42
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	37
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	33
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	33
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	28
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	27
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	26
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	26
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	23
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	22
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	21
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	20
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	19
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	17
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	17
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	17
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	17
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	16
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	15
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	14
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	14
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	13
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	13
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	13
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	13
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	12
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	11
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	11
Offside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	11
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	11
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	11
Windscreen has damage	10
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	10
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	9
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	9
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	9
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	9
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	9
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	9
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	8
Front brake application uneven	8
Front Steering damper leaking oil \|2.2.C.1f\|	8
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	8
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	8
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	8
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	8
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	8
Offside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	8
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration \|7.3.A.2c\|	8
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	7
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	7
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	7
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	7
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	7
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	7
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	6
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Windscreen washer not working	6
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	6
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	6
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	6
Offside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	6
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	6
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	6
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	6
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	6
Steering damper leaking oil \|2.2.C.1f\|	5
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	5
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	5
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	5
Rear Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle \|7.3.A.2b\|	5
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	5
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	5
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	5
Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	5
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated \|3.1.3c\|	5
Brake hose damaged	5
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5

MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ 500s year 1989

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