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BJT 52A

1988 Mercedes-benz 280

Grey Petrol 2746cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Mar 2027
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

99,806 mi
Last recorded99,806 miles
Recorded on30 Mar 2026
Typical for 1988 Mercedes-benz 28045,143 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationBJT 52A
MakeMercedes-benz
Model280
Year1988
ColourGrey
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 10 fail
Pass 30 Mar 2026 99,806 miles

Front wipers smear

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front hub seal slight seepage

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock mounting/chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock mounting/chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 18 Mar 2026 99,713 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Front wipers smear

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front hub seal slight seepage

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock mounting/chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock mounting/chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 26 Nov 2024 99,651 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Nearside Front hub seal leaking

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 13 Nov 2024 99,632 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Nearside Front hub seal leaking

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

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

Pass 24 Oct 2022 99,350 miles
Pass 26 May 2021 99,100 miles
Pass 15 Jul 2019 98,631 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play Not rough (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Exhaust mounting defective Adrift at tail pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 15 Jul 2019 98,629 miles

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play Not rough (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Exhaust mounting defective Adrift at tail pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 12 Jul 2018 97,415 miles

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 5 Jul 2018 97,336 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt webbing significantly weakened belt has been cut and sewn back together (7.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 13 Jun 2017 95,555 miles
Pass 16 Jun 2016 90,534 miles
Fail 19 Jun 2015 86,972 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Pass 19 Jun 2015 86,972 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2014 84,006 miles

offside rear seat belt has been repaired

underbody corrosion

Fail 18 Jun 2014 84,006 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

offside rear seat belt has been repaired

rear brakes binding slightly

underbody corrosion

Pass 13 Jun 2013 80,920 miles

rear wheel bearing play

underbody corrosion

Fail 11 Jun 2013 80,920 miles

Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired (3.6.E.3)

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

rear wheel bearing play

underbody corrosion

Pass 18 Jun 2012 76,457 miles

exhaust slight blow

three tyres low on tread

underbody corrosion

Pass 1 Aug 2011 72,569 miles
Fail 28 Jul 2011 72,557 miles

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 1 Jun 2010 67,398 miles
Pass 28 Jan 2009 62,766 miles
Pass 15 Nov 2007 57,136 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Pass 9 Nov 2006 53,482 miles
Fail 7 Nov 2006 53,482 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 11 Nov 2005 49,562 miles
Fail 3 Nov 2005 49,562 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Rear Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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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BJT 52A is a 1988 Mercedes-benz 280 in Grey with a 2,746cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

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 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 BJT 52A, 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 BJT 52A?

You can check the full history of BJT 52A by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BJT 52A registered?

BJT 52A is a 1988 Mercedes-benz 280, first registered on 27 May 1988.

Is BJT 52A safe to buy?

The MOT history for BJT 52A shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BJT 52A 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 BJT 52A. 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.