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B39 SEC

1989 Mercedes-benz 420

Red Petrol 4196cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Dec 2026
Tests18 (13 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate72.2%

Mileage

156,040 mi
Last recorded156,040 miles
Recorded on5 Dec 2025
Typical for 1989 Mercedes-benz 420104,245 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationB39 SEC
MakeMercedes-benz
Model420
Year1989
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine4,196cc

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

13 pass 5 fail
Pass 5 Dec 2025 156,040 miles
Fail 24 Nov 2025 156,037 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened cut greater than 4mm (7.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced wheel arch (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Nearside Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear valance to floor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 22 Sep 2020 155,998 miles

Offside Front Lower shock absorber corrosion

exhaust pipe corrosion

Pass 6 Sep 2019 155,983 miles

Lower Boot lid component corroded but not likely to cause injury (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly corrosion

Pass 30 Aug 2018 154,255 miles

Both rear tyres starting to perish

Fail 29 Aug 2018 154,253 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inside wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Both rear tyres starting to perish

Pass 2 Nov 2016 153,993 miles
Pass 17 Aug 2015 153,374 miles
Pass 30 Aug 2014 151,606 miles
Fail 21 Aug 2014 151,604 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 23 Feb 2012 150,109 miles
Fail 21 Feb 2012 150,106 miles

Nearside Torque/reaction arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 16 Feb 2011 146,432 miles
Fail 16 Feb 2011 146,432 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 16 Feb 2010 144,236 miles
Pass 11 Feb 2009 142,672 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 14 Feb 2008 141,224 miles
Pass 11 Mar 2006 129,429 miles

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

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz 420?

Based on 24,311 MOT tests across 2,343 vehicles.

75.7%
Pass Rate
809
Miles/Year
40
Year Lifespan
2,343
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 647
Brake pipe excessively corroded 577
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 565
brake binding 530
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 479
Full Mercedes-benz 420 reliability report

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B39 SEC is a 1989 Mercedes-benz 420 in Red with a 4,196cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.2%.

Across all 1989 Mercedes-benz 420 models, the average MOT pass rate is 78.1% with a typical mileage of 104,245 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 420 fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 647 recorded failures. If you're considering buying B39 SEC, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz 420 typically stays on UK roads for around 40 years. At 37 years old, this Mercedes-benz 420 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of B39 SEC?

You can check the full history of B39 SEC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B39 SEC registered?

B39 SEC is a 1989 Mercedes-benz 420, first registered on 31 December 1989.

Is B39 SEC safe to buy?

The MOT history for B39 SEC shows 18 tests with a 72.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B39 SEC 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 B39 SEC. 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.