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F15 SML

1989 Mercedes-benz 280

Black Diesel 3000cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Aug 2026
Tests21 (13 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate61.9%

Mileage

45,152 mi
Last recorded45,152 miles
Recorded on18 Aug 2025
Typical for 1989 Mercedes-benz 28046,165 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

RegistrationF15 SML
MakeMercedes-benz
Model280
Year1989
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine3,000cc

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 8 fail
Pass 18 Aug 2025 45,152 miles
Pass 12 Aug 2024 44,287 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2023 44,228 miles
Pass 13 Jun 2022 44,052 miles
Pass 18 Nov 2019 43,258 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))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 15 Nov 2019 43,258 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.4.3 (b))

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 21 Nov 2018 42,886 miles
Fail 11 Oct 2018 42,881 miles

Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

Brake hose excessively deteriorated all (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated and insecure (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Fuel tank leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Seat belt not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (c))

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

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Brake load sensing valve seized and ABS not fitted or inoperative (1.1.17 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

radiator top mountings insecure corrosion to sills & wheel arches throttle pedal missing

Pass 2 Nov 2017 40,966 miles
Fail 14 Oct 2017 40,966 miles

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

Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute both (1.4.A.2g)

Headlamp not working on main beam both (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

Registration plate lamp not fitted (1.1.C.1b)

Pass 1 Oct 2016 40,449 miles
Pass 22 Sep 2014 40,291 miles
Fail 22 Sep 2014 40,291 miles

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

Pass 26 Jul 2013 38,979 miles
Pass 18 Jul 2012 39,200 miles
Fail 17 Jul 2012 39,196 miles

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

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Pass 16 Jun 2011 36,998 miles

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

Fail 13 Jun 2011 36,995 miles

Nearside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Fail 25 Mar 2008 36,907 miles

Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle (7.3.A.2b)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

n/s/f & o/s/f hub seals leaking

Pass 15 Jun 2006 36,837 miles
Fail 12 Jun 2006 36,837 miles

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

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

battery tray corroded , heat shield insecure.

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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F15 SML is a 1989 Mercedes-benz 280 in Black with a 3,000cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.9%.

Across all 1989 Mercedes-benz 280 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.5% with a typical mileage of 46,165 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 F15 SML, 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 37 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 F15 SML?

You can check the full history of F15 SML by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F15 SML registered?

F15 SML is a 1989 Mercedes-benz 280, first registered on 1 November 1989.

Is F15 SML safe to buy?

The MOT history for F15 SML shows 21 tests with a 61.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F15 SML 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 F15 SML. 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.