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C237 XUE

1986 Mercedes-benz 280

Blue Petrol 2746cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires11 Feb 2026
Tests27 (14 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate51.9%

Mileage

168,446 mi
Last recorded168,446 miles
Recorded on12 Feb 2025
Typical for 1986 Mercedes-benz 28094,320 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC237 XUE
MakeMercedes-benz
Model280
Year1986
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

14 pass 13 fail
Pass 12 Feb 2025 168,446 miles

Chassis and Suspension components corroded

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

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Nearside and Offside (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 9 Jul 2024 168,423 miles

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

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

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength X2 jacking area and by subframe mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 8 Oct 2021 167,267 miles

Nearside Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

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

Pass 13 Oct 2020 166,632 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

slight play in steering box

Fail 13 Oct 2020 166,632 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Nearside Rear Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

slight play in steering box

Pass 22 Oct 2019 164,541 miles
Fail 21 Oct 2019 164,534 miles

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Chalked yellow (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Rear Exhaust system insecure Rubber missing (6.1.2 (a))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 19 Jun 2018 161,137 miles

both rear flexes in poor condtion

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 23 May 2018 161,120 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive co over 10 per cent (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

both rear suspension flexs in poor condtion

Pass 8 May 2017 159,594 miles
Fail 5 May 2017 159,593 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

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

Fail 13 Apr 2017 159,592 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Fail 8 Feb 2017 159,590 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded arch/door shut (5.2.6)

Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

Oil leak ()

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

advise rear shock absorbers have reduced damping effect

Pass 2 Mar 2016 158,266 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Rear Inner Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.4e)

Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.4e)

Offside Rear Inner Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.4e)

Offside Rear Outer Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.4e)

Rear Fuel pipe slightly chafed Above Drive Shaft (7.2.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 23 Feb 2016 158,266 miles

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed 195/70/14 91T (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Rear Fluid suspension pipe leaking (2.4.D.2)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Rear Inner Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.4e)

Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.4e)

Offside Rear Inner Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.4e)

Offside Rear Outer Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.4e)

Rear Fuel pipe slightly chafed Above Drive Shaft (7.2.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 17 Mar 2015 154,229 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 16 Mar 2015 154,221 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 19 Feb 2015 153,862 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Pass 15 Oct 2010 150,819 miles

Offside Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 14 Oct 2010 150,803 miles

Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Offside Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 17 Oct 2009 148,036 miles

Oil leak

underside of vehicle slightly corroded

Pass 7 Oct 2008 143,750 miles
Pass 5 Oct 2007 142,117 miles
Fail 10 Sep 2007 142,111 miles

Offside Rear Lower Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

Fail 7 Sep 2007 142,106 miles

Nearside Inner Lower Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

Pass 1 Sep 2006 139,593 miles
Fail 31 Aug 2006 139,593 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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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C237 XUE is a 1986 Mercedes-benz 280 in Blue with a 2,746cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 51.9%.

Across all 1986 Mercedes-benz 280 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.3% with a typical mileage of 94,320 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 C237 XUE, 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 40 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 C237 XUE?

You can check the full history of C237 XUE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C237 XUE registered?

C237 XUE is a 1986 Mercedes-benz 280, first registered on 15 January 1986.

Is C237 XUE safe to buy?

The MOT history for C237 XUE shows 27 tests with a 51.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C237 XUE 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 C237 XUE. 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.