Mercedes 308 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes 308 car check
Is the Mercedes 308 reliable? We analysed 987 real MOT tests across 194 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes 308? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes 308 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, service brake: efficiency below requirements and suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes 308.
Mercedes 308 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes 308. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes 308 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes 308 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes 308 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes 308 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes 308 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes 308 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes 308 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes 308 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 58 | 53.4% | 107,672 | 121,682 | 195,988 |
| 1995 | 73 | 64.4% | 108,561 | 186,543 | 243,740 |
| 1994 | 116 | 67.2% | 134,525 | 168,740 | 178,180 |
| 1993 | 83 | 63.9% | 114,984 | 175,269 | 210,581 |
| 1992 | 82 | 52.4% | 144,084 | 188,617 | 245,756 |
| 1991 | 102 | 60.8% | 118,425 | 167,009 | 211,645 |
| 1990 | 142 | 61.3% | 103,658 | 161,926 | 234,119 |
| 1989 | 99 | 54.5% | 142,821 | 167,677 | 214,148 |
| 1981 | 67 | 68.7% | 41,955 | 49,484 | 57,896 |
How Long Does a Mercedes 308 Last?
Based on 194 Mercedes 308 vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes 308 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes 308 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 308
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
68.7% MOT pass rate from 67 tests
52.4% MOT pass rate from 82 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes 308 is 1981, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 68.7% across 67 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 52.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mercedes 308 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes 308 THIS CAR | 62.3% | 987 | 161,926 mi | 45 yrs |
| Mercedes Motorhome | 76.7% | 14,848 | 66,873 mi | 45 yrs |
| Mercedes Unknown | 79.2% | 11,881 | 102,484 mi | 39 yrs |
| Mercedes Camper | 74.6% | 8,342 | 82,260 mi | 47 yrs |
| Fiat Uno 60D Start | 59.2% | 463 | 83,944 mi | 32 yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes Motorhome (76.7% pass rate) and the Mercedes Unknown (79.2% pass rate), the Mercedes 308 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes 308 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 308Should you buy a used Mercedes 308?
The Mercedes 308 has an overall MOT pass rate of 62.3% across 987 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Mercedes 308 are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (95 recorded failures), service brake: efficiency below requirements (91), and suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (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 308 owner drives around 2,189 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 308 models stay on UK roads for around 45 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.