Mercedes-benz 350 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes-benz 350 car check
Is the Mercedes-benz 350 reliable? We analysed 11,867 real MOT tests across 1,405 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes-benz 350? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes-benz 350 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz 350.
Mercedes-benz 350 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz 350. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes-benz 350 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes-benz 350 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes-benz 350 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz 350 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes-benz 350 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz 350 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes-benz 350 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz 350 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 128 | 87.5% | 28,821 | 48,205 | 66,892 |
| 2015 | 85 | 84.7% | 44,036 | 63,661 | 100,269 |
| 2014 | 130 | 87.7% | 30,103 | 42,908 | 65,685 |
| 2013 | 90 | 84.4% | 36,396 | 61,156 | 98,698 |
| 2012 | 204 | 83.8% | 39,543 | 59,110 | 80,103 |
| 2011 | 200 | 79.0% | 54,614 | 80,211 | 114,247 |
| 2010 | 387 | 78.3% | 52,148 | 76,299 | 105,750 |
| 2009 | 202 | 82.7% | 45,582 | 79,322 | 107,582 |
| 2008 | 55 | 78.2% | 41,341 | 59,536 | 69,008 |
| 2007 | 62 | 82.3% | 27,248 | 49,987 | 59,824 |
| 2005 | 98 | 74.5% | 47,582 | 71,014 | 124,596 |
| 2004 | 206 | 82.0% | 47,479 | 72,569 | 97,608 |
| 2003 | 99 | 88.9% | 28,866 | 48,474 | 64,822 |
| 1990 | 58 | 86.2% | 50,742 | 56,833 | 109,417 |
| 1987 | 59 | 78.0% | 65,376 | 138,363 | 141,076 |
| 1981 | 111 | 70.3% | 87,547 | 90,956 | 124,176 |
| 1980 | 1,541 | 72.6% | 73,538 | 94,825 | 119,155 |
| 1979 | 1,632 | 74.6% | 71,455 | 96,121 | 119,511 |
| 1978 | 1,234 | 75.5% | 72,846 | 95,951 | 124,283 |
| 1977 | 678 | 72.9% | 70,546 | 94,740 | 115,257 |
How Long Does a Mercedes-benz 350 Last?
Based on 1,405 Mercedes-benz 350 vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes-benz 350 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz 350 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 350
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.9% MOT pass rate from 99 tests
70.1% MOT pass rate from 164 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz 350 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.9% across 99 tests. The 1974 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.1% — 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 350 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-benz 350 THIS CAR | 75.2% | 11,867 | 91,730 mi | 55 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 |
| Kawasaki GPX750R | 79% | 3,981 | 36,819 mi | 39 yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz 350 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes-benz 350 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 350Should you buy a used Mercedes-benz 350?
The Mercedes-benz 350 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.2% across 11,867 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Mercedes-benz 350 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (748 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (543), and brake binding (449). 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 350 owner drives around 406 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 350 models stay on UK roads for around 55 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.