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MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ 508s year 1983

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ 508 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:58.02%
(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ 508 year 1983 passes without issue)
Based on:212 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Brakes imbalanced across an axle26
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively20
Registration plate lamp issues19
Headlamp aim out of alignment11
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|10
Brake pipe excessively corroded9
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|8
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine |7.4.B.3b|6
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|5
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|5
Registration plate issues5
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|4
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort4
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|4
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|4
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|4
Power steering malfunctioning |2.3.3a|4
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|3
Offside Rear fog lamp missing |1.3.2a|3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|3
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|3
Rear brake application uneven3
Offside Rear Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light |1.2.1e|3
Front brake application uneven3
Windscreen washer not working 3
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|3
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|3
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|3
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|3
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Fuel tank leaking |7.2.3|2
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Offside Rear fog lamp insecure |1.3.2a|2
Steering column top bearing excessively worn |2.1.2c|2
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized |3.6.E.3|2
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|2
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|2
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|2
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|2
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect |4.1.2 |c||2
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|2
Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|2
Oil leaking excessively from engine |8.4.1 |a| |i||2
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|2
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|2
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|2
Steering system excessively tight |2.2.D.1|2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|2
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage |6.1.C.1|2
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|2
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|2
Rear fog lamp switch inoperative |4.5.3 |a| |ii||1
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |4.5.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Rear fog lamp insecure |1.3.2a|1
Nearside Front Electrical wiring insecure |1.9.2a|1
Offside Front Electrical wiring insecure |1.9.2a|1
Nearside Front Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner wing |3.3.A.2|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
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|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|1
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|1
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|1
Horn not working |1.6.2a|1
Offside rear brake juddering severely |3.7.A.5b|1
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|1
Offside Rear Leaf spring anchor bracket fractured |2.4.B.6b|1
Rear Brake load sensing valve seized |3.6.E.3|1
Stop lamp|s| all not working |4.3.1 |a| |iii||1
Front Electrical wiring likely to drag on the ground |4.11 |a| |iii||1
Front passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.4|1
Nearside Upper Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Upper Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Upper Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Offside Upper Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|1
Offside front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|1
Offside Headlamps matched pair are not the same colour |1.7.6|1
Offside Front Lower Leaf spring has a deteriorated shackle pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement |2.4.B.2|1
Rear Shock absorber casing damaged externally so the unit does not function |2.7.2a|1
Nearside Headlamps matched pair are incorrectly positioned |1.7.3|1
Brake relay lever has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Rear Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Brake hose excessively deteriorated1
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Offside Front Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|1
Offside Rear Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|1
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated |3.1.3c|1
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Offside Front Body has a projection caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| missing |1.1.A.3a|1
Offside Front Lower Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine |7.4.B.3b|1
Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Leaf spring has a deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement |2.4.B.2|1
Offside Front Leaf spring has a deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement |2.4.B.2|1
Nearside Front Leaf spring has a deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement |2.4.B.2|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure |2.4.B.7b|1
Offside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure |2.4.B.7b|1
Nearside Stub axle has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam |2.5.A.1a|1
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source which significantly reduces light intensity bulb is only just glowing (4.2.3 (b) (ii))1
Passengers seat insecure bolts are loose (6.2.6 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Leaf spring has a deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement rear |2.4.B.2|1
Offside Front Leaf spring has a deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement rear |2.4.B.2|1
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has a deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement rear |2.4.B.2|1
Offside Rear Leaf spring has a deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement rear |2.4.B.2|1
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.A.3|1
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Access panel cannot be secured in the closed position |6.4.1|1
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Front |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Nearside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the seat stalk bolt loose |5.2.1a|1
Offside Rear fog lamp does not face the rear |1.3.2a|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour upper lamp |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour upper lamp |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Fuel system component leaking fuel tank area |7.2.3|1
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has a deteriorated shackle pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement inner bush missing |2.4.B.2|1
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour showing white light |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim so that beam "kick up" is not visible on the screen |4.1.2 |a||1
Offside Front Headlamp aim so that beam "kick up" is not visible on the screen |4.1.2 |a||1
Nearside Front Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier loose behind seat |4.13 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side |1.4.1 |a||1
Offside Rear Fuel hose leaking excessively or a risk of fire at fuel filter |6.1.3 |b| |ii||1
Service brake efficiency below requirements |1.2.2 |a| |i||1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||1
Offside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|1
Nearside Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light |1.2.1e|1
Front Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|1
Offside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Nearside Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized |3.6.E.3|1
Steering box deformed and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|1
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Rear fog lamp does not face the rear |1.3.2a|1
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Brake pedal has no servo assistance |3.3.B.2|1
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|1
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))1
Offside Seat belt anchorage loose (7.1.1 (b))1
Nearside Rear All direction indicators incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))1
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))1
Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))1
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| incomplete |1.1.4a|1
Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|1
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator insecure |1.4.A.2b|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Statutory seat belt of the wrong type. |5.1.1|1
Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side 50% down (1.4.1 (a))1
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Leaf spring anchor pin or bush excessively worn front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Leaf spring anchor pin or bush excessively worn front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Exhaust fumes causing a danger to health of persons on board (6.1.2 (b) (ii))1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))1
Emissions not tested (8.2.2.2 (e))1
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|1
Nearside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Rear fog lamp obscured more than 50% |1.3.2c|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating |1.1.A.3b|1
Power steering malfunctioning belt slipping (2.1.5 (a))1
Nearside Front Leaf spring shackle pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Leaf spring shackle pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced arch areas (6.1.1 (c) (i))1
Offside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner arch areas (6.1.1 (c) (i))1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases + insecure (6.1.2 (a))1
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))1
Dipswitch does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam (4.1.3 (b))1
Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))1
All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))1
Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))1
Offside Indicator switch faulty |1.4.A.1|1
Offside Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|1
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|1
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|1
Indicator switch faulty |1.4.A.1|1
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Headlamp not working on main beam switch faulty |4.1.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside Rear Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Offside Rear Leaf spring shackle pin or bush excessively worn |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|1
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|1
Speedometer cannot be illuminated. |6.7.3|1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported hanger insecure |7.1.1|1
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by damage outer wheel arch |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Front Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|1
Offside Front Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|1
Rear fog lamp not working |4.5.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Offside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Nearside Headlamp not in a clean condition affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Rear fog lamp missing |1.3.2a|1
Nearside Rear Leaf spring fractured |2.4.B.1a|1
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Nearside Front An item not tested |Manual|1
Offside front brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|1
Offside Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Brake pedal anti-slip provision worn smooth |3.3.A.1b|1
Nearside Outer Front Front position lamp|s| excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Rear brake binding1
Offside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is deliberately modified which significantly reduces the original strength |5.2.6|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak1
Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated |5.1.3 |b| |i||1
Centre Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Front Leaf spring has excessive wear in an anchor pin and/or bush |2.4.B.2|1
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|1

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.

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