MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ 500s year 1990

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:77.43%

(The average a petrol MERCEDES BENZ 500 year 1990 passes without issue)

Based on:7,346 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	310
Brake pipe excessively corroded	226
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	210
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	124
Registration plate issues	109
Registration plate lamp issues	98
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	84
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	82
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	46
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	40
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	38
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	38
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	35
Rear brake binding	35
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	32
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	29
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	25
Windscreen has damage	24
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	24
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	23
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	22
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	22
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	21
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	21
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	20
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	19
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	19
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	19
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	17
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	17
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	17
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	16
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	16
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	15
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	15
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	15
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	14
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	14
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	14
Front brake application uneven	14
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	13
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	12
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	12
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	12
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	11
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	11
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	11
Offside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	11
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	11
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	11
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	11
Offside Inner Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	9
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	9
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	9
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	9
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	9
Windscreen washer not working	9
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	9
Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	9
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	9
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	8
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	8
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Steering box has a significant oil leak \|2.2.D.2e\|	8
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	7
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	7
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	7
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	7
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	7
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	7
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	7
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	6
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	6
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	6
Offside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	6
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	6
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only \|3.1.2\|	6
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	6
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	6
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	6
front brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	6
Power steering pump leaking from a failed component \|2.3.3b\|	6
Offside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle \|7.3.A.2b\|	6
Offside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	6
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	6
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault \|3.4.1c\|	5
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	5
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	5
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	5
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	5
Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	5
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	5
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	5
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	5
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	5
Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	5
Nearside Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	5
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration \|7.3.A.2c\|	5
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	5
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Front Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	5
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Offside Side repeater 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	310
Brake pipe excessively corroded	226
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	210
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	124
Registration plate issues	109
Registration plate lamp issues	98
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	84
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	82
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	46
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	40
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	38
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	38
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	35
Rear brake binding	35
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	32
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	29
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	25
Windscreen has damage	24
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	24
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	23
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	22
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	22
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	21
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	21
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	20
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	19
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	19
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	19
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	17
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	17
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	17
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	16
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	16
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	15
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	15
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	15
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	14
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	14
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	14
Front brake application uneven	14
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	13
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	12
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	12
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	12
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	11
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	11
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	11
Offside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	11
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	11
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	11
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	11
Offside Inner Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	9
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	9
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	9
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	9
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	9
Windscreen washer not working	9
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	9
Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	9
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	9
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	8
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	8
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Steering box has a significant oil leak \|2.2.D.2e\|	8
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	7
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	7
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	7
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	7
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	7
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	7
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	7
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	6
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	6
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	6
Offside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	6
Power steering component\|s\| leaking from a failed seal \|2.3.3b\|	6
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only \|3.1.2\|	6
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	6
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	6
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	6
front brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	6
Power steering pump leaking from a failed component \|2.3.3b\|	6
Offside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle \|7.3.A.2b\|	6
Offside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	6
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	6
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault \|3.4.1c\|	5
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	5
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	5
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	5
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	5
Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	5
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	5
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	5
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	5
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	5
Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	5
Nearside Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	5
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration \|7.3.A.2c\|	5
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	5
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Front Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	5
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5

MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ 500s year 1990

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