Mercedes-benz 408 D Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes-benz 408 D car check
Is the Mercedes-benz 408 D reliable? We analysed 1,212 real MOT tests across 190 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes-benz 408 D? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes-benz 408 D is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, fog lamp not working and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz 408 D.
Mercedes-benz 408 D Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz 408 D. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes-benz 408 D MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes-benz 408 D to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes-benz 408 D Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz 408 D fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes-benz 408 D Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz 408 D owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes-benz 408 D MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz 408 D year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 55 | 76.4% | 57,374 | 94,432 | 142,021 |
| 1991 | 106 | 67.0% | 85,904 | 107,598 | 168,569 |
| 1990 | 466 | 62.9% | 113,450 | 190,033 | 235,929 |
| 1989 | 294 | 60.2% | 110,841 | 183,660 | 235,047 |
| 1988 | 74 | 64.9% | 63,695 | 92,276 | 112,402 |
How Long Does a Mercedes-benz 408 D Last?
Based on 190 Mercedes-benz 408 D vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes-benz 408 D Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz 408 D 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 408 D
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.4% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
60.2% MOT pass rate from 294 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz 408 D is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.4% across 55 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.2% — 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 408 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 408 D THIS CAR | 64.1% | 1,212 | 166,466 mi | 38 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 |
| Audi A4 Technik 30 TDI MHEV S-a | 90.3% | 518 | 51,335 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz 408 D trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes-benz 408 D 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 408 DShould you buy a used Mercedes-benz 408 D?
The Mercedes-benz 408 D has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.1% across 1,212 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Mercedes-benz 408 D are brake pipe excessively corroded (65 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (63), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (63). 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 408 D owner drives around 2,326 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 408 D models stay on UK roads for around 38 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.