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Mercedes-benz 200 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mercedes-benz 200 car check

Is the Mercedes-benz 200 reliable? We analysed 54,250 real MOT tests across 7,909 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 54,250 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
70.5%
Typical Mileage
122,055mi
Annual Mileage
3,159mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
46yrs

The Mercedes-benz 200 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz 200.

Mercedes-benz 200 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz 200. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mercedes-benz 200 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mercedes-benz 200 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

90.7%
2017
84.4%
2016
91.8%
2015
86.3%
2013
79.3%
2012
80%
2011
76.8%
2010
78.9%
2009
77.3%
2008
77.4%
2007
76.4%
2006
75%
2005
72.8%
2004
74.8%
2003
73.8%
2002
74.6%
2001
74.3%
2000
72.9%
1999
72.2%
1998
70.7%
1997

Mercedes-benz 200 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz 200 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pipe excessively corroded 2,684
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,565
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 1,763
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 1,405
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 1,209
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 1,159
position lamp(s) not working 911
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 899
fog lamp not working 881
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 812

Mercedes-benz 200 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz 200 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
1,137 mi/yr
Typical
3,159 mi/yr
Average
4,477 mi/yr
Heavy usage
6,199 mi/yr

Mercedes-benz 200 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz 200 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2017 118 90.7% 28,526 41,189 60,931
2016 192 84.4% 32,446 51,304 74,695
2015 73 91.8% 32,202 58,236 75,670
2013 73 86.3% 44,314 55,604 68,294
2012 116 79.3% 44,952 66,239 89,322
2011 100 80.0% 56,440 88,883 125,788
2010 297 76.8% 34,994 52,887 90,389
2009 289 78.9% 50,152 68,716 91,326
2008 550 77.3% 50,608 80,365 109,850
2007 801 77.4% 46,112 77,292 105,793
2006 702 76.4% 46,098 74,998 115,292
2005 581 75.0% 51,506 84,992 117,853
2004 599 72.8% 47,522 72,920 112,056
2003 381 74.8% 52,669 79,525 113,126
2002 720 73.8% 50,778 76,878 104,866
2001 418 74.6% 54,172 73,262 94,464
2000 303 74.3% 49,865 84,084 118,270
1999 262 72.9% 39,720 70,841 112,290
1998 605 72.2% 62,437 88,980 119,112
1997 434 70.7% 84,413 112,180 136,820

How Long Does a Mercedes-benz 200 Last?

Based on 7,909 Mercedes-benz 200 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
20.5 years
Median
19.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
46 years

Mercedes-benz 200 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz 200 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
122,055 mi
75th Percentile
158,430 mi
95th Percentile
220,294 mi
Max Recorded
961,518 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes-benz 200

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2015

91.8% MOT pass rate from 73 tests

Year to avoid
1971

63.3% MOT pass rate from 79 tests

The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz 200 is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.8% across 73 tests. The 1971 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mercedes-benz 200 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mercedes-benz 200 THIS CAR 70.5% 54,250 122,055 mi 46 yrs
Mercedes-benz C 77.6% 8,031,355 77,082 mi 32 yrs
Mercedes-benz E 79.4% 4,722,746 83,960 mi 33 yrs
Mercedes-benz A-class 77.6% 4,204,702 57,023 mi 28 yrs
Toyota C-hr Gr Sport HEV CVT 90.9% 18,337 23,536 mi — yrs

Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz 200 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mercedes-benz 200?

The Mercedes-benz 200 has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.5% across 54,250 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mercedes-benz 200 are brake pipe excessively corroded (2,684 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2,565), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,763). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Mercedes-benz 200 owner drives around 3,159 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Mercedes-benz 200 models stay on UK roads for around 46 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Mercedes-benz 200 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mercedes-benz 200 reliable?
Based on 54,250 MOT tests, the Mercedes-benz 200 has a 70.5% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mercedes-benz 200?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mercedes-benz 200 do per year?
The typical Mercedes-benz 200 does around 3,159 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mercedes-benz 200 last?
Most Mercedes-benz 200 models stay on UK roads for around 46 years based on our analysis of 7,909 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mercedes-benz 200?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Mercedes-benz 200?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz 200 is 2015 with a 91.8% pass rate across 73 tests.