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D538 XJL

1987 Mercedes-benz 230

Blue Petrol 2299cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires15 Mar 2024
Tests17 (8 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate47.1%

Mileage

24,898 mi
Last recorded24,898 miles
Recorded on10 Mar 2026
Typical for 1987 Mercedes-benz 230113,060 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationD538 XJL
MakeMercedes-benz
Model230
Year1987
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,299cc

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

8 pass 9 fail
Fail 10 Mar 2026 24,898 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases SILENCER BOX (6.1.2 (a))

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

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

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

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

Nearside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Fail 15 Mar 2024 24,893 miles

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

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

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

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

Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn both (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Inner sills and body outriggers heavily welded/undersealed

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

Offside Rear Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

Reversing lamps imoperative

Pass 1 Mar 2023 24,820 miles

Engine running very lean

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

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

Offside Front swivel housing leaking

Offside Rear parking brake poor effort

Windscreen wiper blade defective both (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Mar 2022 24,791 miles
Fail 25 Jan 2022 24,784 miles

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

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced bulkhead (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded bulkhead (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 4 Feb 2021 24,623 miles
Fail 25 Jan 2021 24,614 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Front Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 28 Dec 2020 124,602 miles

Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt both front (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength shocker mounting (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps all 3 rear (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Wheel bearing has slight play both front (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Jun 2019 24,497 miles
Fail 20 Jun 2019 24,497 miles

All position lamps adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Offside Rear Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))

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

Fail 30 Aug 2011 23,890 miles

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 30 Aug 2011 23,890 miles
Pass 19 Aug 2010 23,379 miles

front discs worn

front hub seals leaking

Fail 19 Aug 2010 23,379 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

front discs worn

front hub seals leaking

Fail 29 Jul 2009 22,702 miles

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

both front hub seals leaking

Pass 29 Jul 2009 22,702 miles

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

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

both front hub seals leaking

Pass 27 Apr 2007

advise brake discs slightly corroded

advise corrosion to rear of vehicle body

advise n/s/r shocker bush perished

advise o/s/f and n/s/f tyres worn on outer edges

advise steering box control arm track rod ball joint boot split,but no play.

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz 230?

Based on 68,016 MOT tests across 8,576 vehicles.

71.8%
Pass Rate
1,918
Miles/Year
62
Year Lifespan
8,576
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 2,934
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,565
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 2,276
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 1,500
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 1,463
Full Mercedes-benz 230 reliability report

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D538 XJL is a 1987 Mercedes-benz 230 in Blue with a 2,299cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 17 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 47.1%.

Across all 1987 Mercedes-benz 230 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.7% with a typical mileage of 113,060 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 230 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 2,934 recorded failures. If you're considering buying D538 XJL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz 230 typically stays on UK roads for around 62 years. At 39 years old, this Mercedes-benz 230 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of D538 XJL?

You can check the full history of D538 XJL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was D538 XJL registered?

D538 XJL is a 1987 Mercedes-benz 230, first registered on 21 May 1987.

Is D538 XJL safe to buy?

The MOT history for D538 XJL shows 17 tests with a 47.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does D538 XJL 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 D538 XJL. 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.