CarVerify

Free Car Check

E438 MMH

1987 Mercedes-benz 420

Purple Petrol 4196cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Apr 2027
Tests26 (21 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80.8%

Mileage

46,772 mi
Last recorded46,772 miles
Recorded on24 Mar 2026
Typical for 1987 Mercedes-benz 420100,068 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationE438 MMH
MakeMercedes-benz
Model420
Year1987
ColourPurple
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

21 pass 5 fail
Pass 24 Mar 2026 46,772 miles
Fail 24 Mar 2026 46,772 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 19 Mar 2025 46,714 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Pass 2 Apr 2024 46,630 miles
Pass 31 Mar 2023 46,538 miles

Offside inner sill panel corroded

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

Pass 25 Mar 2022 46,163 miles

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

Fail 22 Mar 2022 46,161 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 29 Mar 2021 45,865 miles

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

Pass 24 Mar 2020 45,638 miles
Pass 25 Mar 2019 45,449 miles
Pass 27 Mar 2018 45,224 miles
Pass 23 Mar 2017 44,921 miles

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 16 Mar 2016 44,489 miles
Pass 30 Mar 2015 43,104 miles
Pass 7 Aug 2014 42,951 miles
Pass 17 Jul 2013 42,901 miles
Pass 3 Jul 2012 42,797 miles
Pass 24 Jun 2011 42,606 miles
Pass 1 Jul 2010 41,631 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2009 40,312 miles
Fail 2 Jun 2008 38,868 miles

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

Pass 2 Jun 2008 38,868 miles
Pass 29 May 2007 37,846 miles
Fail 29 May 2007 37,846 miles

Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Pass 30 May 2006 36,783 miles
Fail 30 May 2006 36,783 miles

Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

Offside Front Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

E438 MMH is a 1987 Mercedes-benz 420 in Purple with a 4,196cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80.8%.

Across all 1987 Mercedes-benz 420 models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.9% with a typical mileage of 100,068 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 E438 MMH, 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 39 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 E438 MMH?

You can check the full history of E438 MMH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E438 MMH registered?

E438 MMH is a 1987 Mercedes-benz 420, first registered on 1 August 1987.

Is E438 MMH safe to buy?

The MOT history for E438 MMH shows 26 tests with a 80.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E438 MMH 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 E438 MMH. 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.