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B256 ETW

1985 Mercedes-benz 280

Blue Petrol 2746cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires15 Jun 2026
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

64,126 mi
Last recorded64,126 miles
Recorded on16 Jun 2025
Typical for 1985 Mercedes-benz 280105,631 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationB256 ETW
MakeMercedes-benz
Model280
Year1985
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,746cc

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

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 16 Jun 2025 64,126 miles

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

Pass 11 Jun 2024 63,906 miles
Pass 5 Jun 2023 63,485 miles
Pass 6 Jun 2022 63,107 miles

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

Pass 3 Jun 2021 62,921 miles

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Pass 4 Jun 2020 62,781 miles
Pass 20 May 2019 62,512 miles

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

Pass 8 May 2018 62,054 miles

Front Lower Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Fail 8 May 2018 62,054 miles

Front Lower Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Oil leak

Pass 12 May 2017 61,697 miles
Pass 23 May 2016 61,645 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Fail 18 May 2016 61,644 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases front pipe flange (7.1.2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively washer liquid jelly (8.2.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Pass 12 Jul 2014 61,642 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Fail 12 Jul 2014 61,642 miles

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Pass 11 Jul 2013 61,419 miles
Fail 10 Jul 2013 61,419 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 13 Apr 2011 61,229 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 12 Apr 2011 61,229 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 21 Apr 2010 60,813 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 21 Apr 2010 60,813 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Fail 21 Apr 2010 60,813 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 30 Apr 2009 60,640 miles
Pass 13 May 2008 60,510 miles
Pass 27 Apr 2007 60,348 miles
Fail 26 Apr 2007 60,348 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

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

Pass 31 May 2006 59,742 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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B256 ETW is a 1985 Mercedes-benz 280 in Blue with a 2,746cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 1985 Mercedes-benz 280 models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.3% with a typical mileage of 105,631 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 280 fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 2,691 recorded failures. If you're considering buying B256 ETW, 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 41 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 B256 ETW?

You can check the full history of B256 ETW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B256 ETW registered?

B256 ETW is a 1985 Mercedes-benz 280, first registered on 31 December 1985.

Is B256 ETW safe to buy?

The MOT history for B256 ETW shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B256 ETW 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 B256 ETW. 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.