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820 SET

1988 Mercedes-benz 280

Silver Petrol 2962cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Mar 2027
Tests28 (26 pass, 2 fail)
Pass rate92.9%

Mileage

66,425 mi
Last recorded66,425 miles
Recorded on17 Mar 2026
Typical for 1988 Mercedes-benz 28045,143 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

Registration820 SET
MakeMercedes-benz
Model280
Year1988
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,962cc

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50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

26 pass 2 fail
Pass 17 Mar 2026 66,425 miles
Pass 4 Mar 2026 670 miles
Pass 27 Nov 2025 66,144 miles
Pass 13 Oct 2025 66,054 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Exhaust manifold gasket cylinder 4 (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis leg corroded on the inside (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis leg corroded on the inside (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 7 Oct 2024 65,140 miles
Pass 19 Dec 2023 532 miles
Pass 22 Sep 2023 64,232 miles
Pass 22 Sep 2022 63,432 miles
Pass 18 Oct 2021 62,860 miles
Pass 2 Dec 2020 61,893 miles
Pass 4 Jun 2019 60,703 miles

off side parking brake performance low

Pass 4 Jun 2018 9,668 miles

Coolant leak ()

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

both front outer sills heavily corroded but not within prescribed areas

nearside front brake has slight bind

Pass 1 Jun 2018 59,596 miles

diff oil leak

engine oil leak

front and rear suspension components corroded

Pass 18 May 2017 57,742 miles
Pass 19 May 2016 55,458 miles
Pass 1 Oct 2015 53,871 miles
Pass 13 May 2015 53,204 miles
Pass 5 Jan 2015 53,143 miles
Pass 23 Jan 2014 53,092 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 3 Nov 2012 5,308 miles
Fail 3 Nov 2012 5,308 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Advise nearside front tyre wall is cut however cords not showing

Pass 1 Nov 2011 53,056 miles
Fail 1 Nov 2011 53,056 miles

Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

Pass 23 Oct 2009 52,501 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 6 Nov 2008 51,984 miles

n/s/f tyre damaged on outer wall

Pass 24 Oct 2007 50,778 miles

slight damage to n/s/f outer tyre wall

Pass 23 Oct 2006 49,667 miles
Pass 26 Oct 2005 47,938 miles

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz 280?

Based on 54,248 MOT tests across 5,905 vehicles.

73.2%
Pass Rate
741
Miles/Year
58
Year Lifespan
5,905
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 2,691
Brake pipe excessively corroded 1,358
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,312
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1,266
Headlamp aim too low 1,161
Full Mercedes-benz 280 reliability report

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820 SET is a 1988 Mercedes-benz 280 in Silver with a 2,962cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 92.9%.

Across all 1988 Mercedes-benz 280 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.8% with a typical mileage of 45,143 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Mercedes-benz 280 fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 2,691 recorded failures. If you're considering buying 820 SET, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz 280 typically stays on UK roads for around 58 years. At 38 years old, this Mercedes-benz 280 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of 820 SET?

You can check the full history of 820 SET by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was 820 SET registered?

820 SET is a 1988 Mercedes-benz 280, first registered on 30 December 1988.

Is 820 SET safe to buy?

The MOT history for 820 SET shows 28 tests with a 92.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does 820 SET have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on 820 SET. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.