Mercedes-benz 311 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes-benz 311 car check
Is the Mercedes-benz 311 reliable? We analysed 1,761 real MOT tests across 130 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes-benz 311? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes-benz 311 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, brake pipe excessively corroded and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz 311.
Mercedes-benz 311 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz 311. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes-benz 311 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes-benz 311 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes-benz 311 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz 311 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes-benz 311 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz 311 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes-benz 311 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz 311 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102 | 67.6% | 115,500 | 175,916 | 259,203 |
| 2007 | 121 | 60.3% | 113,280 | 166,193 | 198,931 |
| 2006 | 66 | 62.1% | 78,625 | 134,496 | 291,269 |
| 2005 | 108 | 75.0% | 71,240 | 118,374 | 162,541 |
| 2004 | 424 | 73.8% | 56,256 | 109,873 | 187,632 |
| 2003 | 230 | 71.7% | 77,570 | 110,099 | 142,164 |
| 2002 | 165 | 77.6% | 68,060 | 134,053 | 200,317 |
| 2001 | 297 | 66.7% | 58,012 | 111,102 | 156,717 |
| 2000 | 169 | 66.9% | 79,252 | 107,497 | 139,806 |
How Long Does a Mercedes-benz 311 Last?
Based on 130 Mercedes-benz 311 vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes-benz 311 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz 311 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 311
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.6% MOT pass rate from 165 tests
60.3% MOT pass rate from 121 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz 311 is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.6% across 165 tests. The 2007 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.3% — 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 311 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-benz 311 THIS CAR | 70.0% | 1,761 | 123,355 mi | 26 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 |
| Land Rover Discovery Sport D 4X2 | 81.3% | 1,222 | 34,704 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz 311 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes-benz 311 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 311Should you buy a used Mercedes-benz 311?
The Mercedes-benz 311 has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.0% across 1,761 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mercedes-benz 311 are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (91 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (41), and registration plate lamp not working (39). 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 311 owner drives around 6,958 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 311 models stay on UK roads for around 26 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.