Mercedes-benz 230 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes-benz 230 car check
Is the Mercedes-benz 230 reliable? We analysed 68,016 real MOT tests across 8,576 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes-benz 230? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes-benz 230 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 230.
Mercedes-benz 230 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz 230. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes-benz 230 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes-benz 230 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes-benz 230 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz 230 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes-benz 230 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz 230 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes-benz 230 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz 230 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 57 | 77.2% | 14,873 | 24,217 | 41,434 |
| 2005 | 72 | 70.8% | 65,536 | 72,630 | 90,424 |
| 2004 | 101 | 81.2% | 27,641 | 49,164 | 73,829 |
| 2003 | 80 | 75.0% | 35,979 | 58,050 | 102,737 |
| 2002 | 348 | 77.0% | 59,632 | 83,088 | 114,991 |
| 2001 | 177 | 79.1% | 53,623 | 87,491 | 108,206 |
| 2000 | 327 | 69.4% | 56,342 | 77,786 | 108,844 |
| 1999 | 379 | 73.4% | 59,405 | 86,408 | 107,285 |
| 1998 | 388 | 75.3% | 57,108 | 85,106 | 119,466 |
| 1997 | 404 | 72.3% | 65,566 | 101,280 | 134,120 |
| 1996 | 123 | 69.1% | 71,539 | 125,474 | 153,211 |
| 1995 | 54 | 66.7% | 64,293 | 125,528 | 185,631 |
| 1994 | 55 | 70.9% | 63,926 | 78,538 | 165,686 |
| 1993 | 386 | 72.3% | 113,598 | 142,516 | 175,639 |
| 1992 | 8,627 | 72.8% | 104,065 | 131,354 | 161,290 |
| 1991 | 7,815 | 73.0% | 98,974 | 130,892 | 162,184 |
| 1990 | 8,568 | 71.8% | 88,566 | 127,751 | 165,367 |
| 1989 | 7,578 | 70.8% | 85,444 | 126,958 | 162,230 |
| 1988 | 5,051 | 70.9% | 85,097 | 122,887 | 160,065 |
| 1987 | 2,645 | 67.7% | 72,573 | 113,060 | 154,158 |
How Long Does a Mercedes-benz 230 Last?
Based on 8,576 Mercedes-benz 230 vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes-benz 230 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz 230 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes-benz 230
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.2% MOT pass rate from 101 tests
65.3% MOT pass rate from 202 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz 230 is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.2% across 101 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.3% — 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 230 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-benz 230 THIS CAR | 71.8% | 68,016 | 119,295 mi | 62 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 |
| Harley Davidson Flstf | 90.2% | 29,205 | 12,821 mi | 36 yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz 230 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes-benz 230 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mercedes-benz 230Should you buy a used Mercedes-benz 230?
The Mercedes-benz 230 has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.8% across 68,016 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mercedes-benz 230 are brake pipe excessively corroded (2,934 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2,565), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2,276). 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 230 owner drives around 1,918 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 230 models stay on UK roads for around 62 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.