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Mercedes-benz 307 D Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mercedes-benz 307 D car check

Is the Mercedes-benz 307 D reliable? We analysed 4,141 real MOT tests across 707 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 4,141 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
60.2%
Typical Mileage
163,172mi
Annual Mileage
1,328mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
46yrs

The Mercedes-benz 307 D is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, service brake: efficiency below requirements and fog lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz 307 D.

Mercedes-benz 307 D Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz 307 D. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mercedes-benz 307 D MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mercedes-benz 307 D to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

59.1%
1989
60.2%
1988
60.2%
1987
59.3%
1986
58.4%
1985
62%
1984
60.2%
1983
61.8%
1982
71.8%
1981
55%
1980
76.5%
1979

Mercedes-benz 307 D Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz 307 D fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 455
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 334
fog lamp not working 281
Brake pipe excessively corroded 233
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 213
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 197
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 189
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 175
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 173
Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion 171

Mercedes-benz 307 D Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz 307 D owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
450 mi/yr
Typical
1,328 mi/yr
Average
2,478 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,119 mi/yr

Mercedes-benz 307 D MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz 307 D year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1989 342 59.1% 90,115 138,238 188,890
1988 1,160 60.2% 121,358 178,150 232,414
1987 778 60.2% 109,749 152,340 205,162
1986 484 59.3% 108,084 177,578 247,458
1985 488 58.4% 109,415 184,582 250,606
1984 276 62.0% 63,158 124,954 186,886
1983 206 60.2% 101,529 171,126 212,762
1982 110 61.8% 99,817 176,376 213,625
1981 71 71.8% 41,508 50,998 55,512
1980 60 55.0% 67,351 91,676 128,962
1979 51 76.5% 102,318 154,497 162,260

How Long Does a Mercedes-benz 307 D Last?

Based on 707 Mercedes-benz 307 D vehicles on UK roads.

Average
22.4 years
Median
21.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
46 years

Mercedes-benz 307 D Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz 307 D MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
163,172 mi
75th Percentile
219,306 mi
95th Percentile
350,995 mi
Max Recorded
917,058 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes-benz 307 D

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

Best year
1979

76.5% MOT pass rate from 51 tests

Year to avoid
1980

55.0% MOT pass rate from 60 tests

The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz 307 D is 1979, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.5% across 51 tests. The 1980 model year has the lowest pass rate at 55.0% — 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 307 D Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mercedes-benz 307 D THIS CAR 60.2% 4,141 163,172 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
Honda XL 125 V-6 77.6% 2,450 15,409 mi 20 yrs

Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz 307 D trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mercedes-benz 307 D?

The Mercedes-benz 307 D has an overall MOT pass rate of 60.2% across 4,141 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Mercedes-benz 307 D are suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (455 recorded failures), service brake: efficiency below requirements (334), and fog lamp not working (281). 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 307 D owner drives around 1,328 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 307 D 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 307 D — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mercedes-benz 307 D reliable?
Based on 4,141 MOT tests, the Mercedes-benz 307 D has a 60.2% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Mercedes-benz 307 D?
The most common MOT failures are suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, service brake: efficiency below requirements, and fog lamp not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mercedes-benz 307 D do per year?
The typical Mercedes-benz 307 D does around 1,328 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mercedes-benz 307 D last?
Most Mercedes-benz 307 D models stay on UK roads for around 46 years based on our analysis of 707 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mercedes-benz 307 D?
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 307 D?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz 307 D is 1979 with a 76.5% pass rate across 51 tests.