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Mercedes 814D Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mercedes 814D car check

Is the Mercedes 814D reliable? We analysed 863 real MOT tests across 115 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 863 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.5%
Typical Mileage
185,701mi
Annual Mileage
6,172mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
29yrs

The Mercedes 814D is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include service brake: efficiency below requirements, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes 814D.

Mercedes 814D Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mercedes 814D. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mercedes 814D MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mercedes 814D to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

80%
2001
80.8%
1999
73.5%
1998
63.1%
1997

Mercedes 814D Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mercedes 814D fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Service brake: efficiency below requirements 18
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 14
brake binding 12
Brake pipe excessively corroded 12
Brake hose bulging under pressure 11
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 10
brake application uneven 9
Side repeater not working 9
Stop lamp not working 8

Mercedes 814D Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mercedes 814D owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
1,947 mi/yr
Typical
6,172 mi/yr
Average
8,898 mi/yr
Heavy usage
13,539 mi/yr

Mercedes 814D MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes 814D year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2001 55 80.0% 126,130 205,451 277,966
1999 73 80.8% 84,663 170,705 423,399
1998 68 73.5% 88,917 148,684 224,736
1997 65 63.1% 88,992 121,281 194,599

Mercedes 814D Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes 814D MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
185,701 mi
75th Percentile
289,988 mi
95th Percentile
437,656 mi
Max Recorded
919,910 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes 814D

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

Best year
1999

80.8% MOT pass rate from 73 tests

Year to avoid
1997

63.1% MOT pass rate from 65 tests

The best year to buy a used Mercedes 814D is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.8% across 73 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mercedes 814D Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mercedes 814D THIS CAR 74.5% 863 185,701 mi 29 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
Audi Q3 S Line Blck ED 45 TFSI E Sa 91.7% 971 30,934 mi — yrs

Compared to the Mercedes Motorhome (76.7% pass rate) and the Mercedes Unknown (79.2% pass rate), the Mercedes 814D trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Mercedes 814D 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.

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Should you buy a used Mercedes 814D?

The Mercedes 814D has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.5% across 863 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mercedes 814D are service brake: efficiency below requirements (18 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (14), and brake binding (12). 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 814D owner drives around 6,172 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 814D models stay on UK roads for around 29 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 814D — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mercedes 814D reliable?
Based on 863 MOT tests, the Mercedes 814D has a 74.5% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mercedes 814D?
The most common MOT failures are service brake: efficiency below requirements, parking brake: efficiency below requirements, and brake binding. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mercedes 814D do per year?
The typical Mercedes 814D does around 6,172 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mercedes 814D last?
Most Mercedes 814D models stay on UK roads for around 29 years based on our analysis of 115 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mercedes 814D?
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 814D?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mercedes 814D is 1999 with a 80.8% pass rate across 73 tests.