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Mercedes-benz 609 D Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mercedes-benz 609 D car check

Is the Mercedes-benz 609 D reliable? We analysed 2,600 real MOT tests across 319 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,600 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.6%
Typical Mileage
194,060mi
Annual Mileage
3,436mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
42yrs

The Mercedes-benz 609 D is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz 609 D.

Mercedes-benz 609 D Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz 609 D. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mercedes-benz 609 D MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mercedes-benz 609 D to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

68.1%
1996
70.1%
1995
65.5%
1994
66.5%
1993
64.4%
1992
66.2%
1991
77.9%
1990
66.3%
1989
69.8%
1988
70.3%
1987
75%
1986
50%
1984

Mercedes-benz 609 D Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz 609 D fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pipe excessively corroded 107
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 91
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 76
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 69
position lamp(s) not working 61
Brakes imbalanced across an axle 59
brake binding 56
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 56
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 49
brake application uneven 49

Mercedes-benz 609 D Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz 609 D owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
1,388 mi/yr
Typical
3,436 mi/yr
Average
6,311 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,991 mi/yr

Mercedes-benz 609 D MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz 609 D year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1996 232 68.1% 134,232 187,021 250,912
1995 288 70.1% 136,180 197,710 290,371
1994 220 65.5% 139,942 206,288 272,470
1993 182 66.5% 89,368 164,717 243,599
1992 135 64.4% 60,543 165,650 240,305
1991 154 66.2% 85,445 206,009 309,819
1990 181 77.9% 84,979 181,376 277,555
1989 303 66.3% 93,375 168,352 292,832
1988 232 69.8% 108,744 188,900 262,802
1987 330 70.3% 161,903 189,754 255,936
1986 52 75.0% 236,325 277,996 403,260
1984 66 50.0% 50,971 240,097 299,740

How Long Does a Mercedes-benz 609 D Last?

Based on 319 Mercedes-benz 609 D vehicles on UK roads.

Average
20.4 years
Median
18.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
42 years

Mercedes-benz 609 D Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz 609 D MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
194,060 mi
75th Percentile
266,421 mi
95th Percentile
434,282 mi
Max Recorded
962,248 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes-benz 609 D

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

Best year
1990

77.9% MOT pass rate from 181 tests

Year to avoid
1984

50.0% MOT pass rate from 66 tests

The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz 609 D is 1990, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.9% across 181 tests. The 1984 model year has the lowest pass rate at 50.0% — 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 609 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 609 D THIS CAR 68.6% 2,600 194,060 mi 42 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
MG Mgc 81.5% 2,053 30,633 mi 58 yrs

Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz 609 D trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mercedes-benz 609 D?

The Mercedes-benz 609 D has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.6% across 2,600 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mercedes-benz 609 D are brake pipe excessively corroded (107 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (91), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (76). 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 609 D owner drives around 3,436 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 609 D models stay on UK roads for around 42 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 609 D — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mercedes-benz 609 D reliable?
Based on 2,600 MOT tests, the Mercedes-benz 609 D has a 68.6% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mercedes-benz 609 D?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, parking brake: efficiency below requirements, and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mercedes-benz 609 D do per year?
The typical Mercedes-benz 609 D does around 3,436 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mercedes-benz 609 D last?
Most Mercedes-benz 609 D models stay on UK roads for around 42 years based on our analysis of 319 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mercedes-benz 609 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 609 D?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz 609 D is 1990 with a 77.9% pass rate across 181 tests.