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Mercedes Unknown Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mercedes Unknown car check

Is the Mercedes Unknown reliable? We analysed 11,881 real MOT tests across 4,378 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 11,881 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
79.2%
Typical Mileage
102,484mi
Annual Mileage
3,416mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
39yrs

The Mercedes Unknown is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes Unknown.

Mercedes Unknown Number Plates

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

Mercedes Unknown MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

89.9%
2022
89.2%
2021
91.5%
2020
88.1%
2019
90.2%
2018
92.7%
2017
86.1%
2016
85.4%
2015
87.1%
2014
88.2%
2013
82.8%
2012
82.4%
2011
76.4%
2010
77.5%
2009
77.6%
2008
76.7%
2007
75%
2006
76.3%
2005
70.2%
2004
73.7%
2003

Mercedes Unknown Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Mercedes Unknown models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value 62

Mercedes Unknown Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
1,487 mi/yr
Typical
3,416 mi/yr
Average
6,266 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,149 mi/yr

Mercedes Unknown MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2022 217 89.9% 8,404 13,069 17,185
2021 288 89.2% 8,089 13,121 21,582
2020 283 91.5% 9,446 14,855 26,518
2019 210 88.1% 9,242 15,848 25,921
2018 408 90.2% 11,209 18,927 46,297
2017 356 92.7% 10,312 17,647 29,766
2016 504 86.1% 16,340 30,471 68,629
2015 383 85.4% 20,441 37,766 99,272
2014 395 87.1% 19,968 37,388 66,412
2013 467 88.2% 20,335 32,134 54,149
2012 169 82.8% 30,556 77,833 173,788
2011 85 82.4% 51,714 79,216 138,603
2010 148 76.4% 78,509 155,623 316,050
2009 604 77.5% 82,111 133,304 236,286
2008 465 77.6% 94,648 168,632 255,607
2007 673 76.7% 93,104 155,419 261,334
2006 484 75.0% 67,852 135,257 229,354
2005 455 76.3% 87,786 149,152 287,673
2004 480 70.2% 73,088 180,833 325,537
2003 353 73.7% 76,887 144,358 252,301

How Long Does a Mercedes Unknown Last?

Based on 4,378 Mercedes Unknown vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.4 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
39 years

Mercedes Unknown Mileage Distribution

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

Median
102,484 mi
75th Percentile
240,638 mi
95th Percentile
556,996 mi
Max Recorded
6,348,354 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes Unknown

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

Best year
2017

92.7% MOT pass rate from 356 tests

Year to avoid
1997

63.8% MOT pass rate from 116 tests

The best year to buy a used Mercedes Unknown is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.7% across 356 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mercedes Unknown Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mercedes Unknown THIS CAR 79.2% 11,881 102,484 mi 39 yrs
Mercedes Motorhome 76.7% 14,848 66,873 mi 45 yrs
Mercedes Camper 74.6% 8,342 82,260 mi 47 yrs
Mercedes Ml 250 81.3% 7,460 78,586 mi 20 yrs
Austin Healey 3000 85.3% 8,988 30,527 mi 67 yrs

Compared to the Mercedes Motorhome (76.7% pass rate) and the Mercedes Camper (74.6% pass rate), the Mercedes Unknown outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mercedes Unknown?

The Mercedes Unknown has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.2% across 11,881 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mercedes Unknown with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Mercedes Unknown owner drives around 3,416 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 Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 39 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 Unknown — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mercedes Unknown reliable?
Based on 11,881 MOT tests, the Mercedes Unknown has a 79.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Mercedes Unknown?
The most common failure point is general wear and tear.
How many miles does a Mercedes Unknown do per year?
The typical Mercedes Unknown does around 3,416 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mercedes Unknown last?
Most Mercedes Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 39 years based on our analysis of 4,378 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mercedes Unknown?
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 Unknown?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mercedes Unknown is 2017 with a 92.7% pass rate across 356 tests.