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A297 VUS

1990 Mercedes-benz 190 D

Red Diesel 2497cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Oct 2026
Tests37 (20 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate54.1%

Mileage

234,769 mi
Last recorded234,769 miles
Recorded on1 Oct 2025
Typical for 1990 Mercedes-benz 190 D157,695 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA297 VUS
MakeMercedes-benz
Model190 D
Year1990
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,497cc

All premium checks include

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

20 pass 17 fail
Pass 1 Oct 2025 234,769 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Fail 29 Sep 2025 234,767 miles

Nearside Engine mounting damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (6.1.8 (a) (i))

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Fluid leak, but not excessive steering damper (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Pass 30 Sep 2024 227,579 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Engine mounting damaged but not to excess (6.1.8 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

slight leak from steering damper

Pass 19 Sep 2023 222,220 miles

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 4 Oct 2022 218,252 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Brake disc backing plate heavily corroded

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine, Transmission and rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement All bushes on rear of vehicle are perished (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 9 Sep 2022 218,206 miles

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

ALL REAR SUSPENSION BUSHES PERISHING

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

O/S/R BRAKE BACK PLATE CORRODED

OIL LEAK FROM REAR DIFF

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 21 Sep 2021 212,591 miles

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive Rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 13 Sep 2021 212,579 miles

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Outer Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive Rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Sep 2020 210,010 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Prop shaft bearing has slight play (6.1.7 (b) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

all rear suspension bushes in poor condition

o/s/r brake back plate very corroded

Fail 18 Sep 2020 210,008 miles

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Prop shaft bearing has slight play (6.1.7 (b) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

all rear suspension bushes in poor condition

o/s/r brake back plate very corroded

Pass 25 Sep 2019 206,006 miles

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Front Wheel bearing has slight play both sides (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective hole in glass (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement all bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

all tyres wearing to edges

Fail 16 Sep 2019 206,003 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill panel (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Steering column top bearing excessively worn (2.2.2 (b))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Front Wheel bearing has slight play both sides (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective hole in glass (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement all bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

all tyres wearing to edges

Pass 18 Sep 2018 198,603 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective hole in glass (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement all rear bushes perishing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

all tyres wearing to edges

Fail 12 Sep 2018 198,597 miles

Dipswitch does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam (4.1.3 (b))

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers insecurely attached mounting bolt loose (5.3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective hole in glass (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement all rear bushes perishing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

all tyres wearing to edges

Pass 9 Oct 2017 191,494 miles
Fail 7 Oct 2017 191,494 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1c)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 3 Oct 2016 183,765 miles

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

Fail 25 Jul 2016 183,662 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Rear silencer. (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded NSF chassis rail. (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Lower Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded NSR subframe mount. (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded NSR floor. (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded NSR upper Spring cup. (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded NSR upper Spring mount. (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush Marked. (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded OSR anti-roll bar mount. (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded OSR upper Spring mount. (2.4.A.3)

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded Centre floor beneath prop excess corrosion. (5.2.6)

Centre exhaust blowing slightly.

Corrosion at rear subframe.

NSF door mirror glass deteriorating.

OSF tyre heavy wear at inner shoulder.

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

Plastic sill trims fitted to vehicle not allowing full inspection of sills.

Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush Remaining subframe bushes deteriorated. (2.4.G.2)

Pass 22 Jul 2015 174,466 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Non obligatory mirror damaged

Fail 22 Jul 2015 174,466 miles

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Non obligatory mirror damaged

n/s/f tyre worn on inner edge

Pass 29 Jul 2014 166,005 miles
Fail 17 Jul 2014 165,984 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Steering component fractured and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d) DANGEROUS

Pass 11 Jul 2013 158,302 miles
Fail 11 Jul 2013 158,302 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 16 Jul 2012 151,529 miles

Lqw effort on o/s park brake

Fail 16 Jul 2012 151,529 miles

Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Lqw effort on o/s park brake

Pass 20 Jul 2011 144,143 miles
Fail 16 Jul 2011 144,083 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Pass 27 Jul 2010 137,145 miles
Fail 26 Jul 2010 137,132 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim does not move downwards when dipped (British American headlamp) (1.8.C.4)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 17 Jul 2009 128,524 miles

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nail in offside front tyre

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

all rear suspension bushes perished but not resulting in excessive movement

chip in offside headlamp glass

corrosion around nearside jack point

several areas of corrosion but not excessive

Pass 16 Jul 2008 120,504 miles
Fail 16 Jul 2008 120,504 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Pass 17 Jul 2007 111,631 miles
Fail 17 Jul 2007 111,631 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

both front tyres wearing to edges

Pass 27 Jul 2006 104,494 miles
Fail 24 Jul 2006 104,466 miles

Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure (3.3.B.1a) DANGEROUS

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz 190 D?

Based on 13,305 MOT tests across 1,970 vehicles.

68.9%
Pass Rate
4,552
Miles/Year
42
Year Lifespan
1,970
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 848
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 688
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 582
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 432
position lamp(s) not working 371
Full Mercedes-benz 190 D reliability report

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A297 VUS is a 1990 Mercedes-benz 190 D in Red with a 2,497cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 37 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.1%.

Across all 1990 Mercedes-benz 190 D models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.0% with a typical mileage of 157,695 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Mercedes-benz 190 D fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 848 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A297 VUS, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz 190 D typically stays on UK roads for around 42 years. At 36 years old, this Mercedes-benz 190 D is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A297 VUS?

You can check the full history of A297 VUS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A297 VUS registered?

A297 VUS is a 1990 Mercedes-benz 190 D, first registered on 13 August 1990.

Is A297 VUS safe to buy?

The MOT history for A297 VUS shows 37 tests with a 54.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A297 VUS 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 A297 VUS. 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.