CarVerify

Free Car Check

F271 GBW

1988 Mercedes-benz 420

Silver Petrol 4196cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Apr 2027
Tests24 (15 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

152,956 mi
Last recorded152,956 miles
Recorded on22 Apr 2026
Typical for 1988 Mercedes-benz 420101,568 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationF271 GBW
MakeMercedes-benz
Model420
Year1988
ColourSilver
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

15 pass 9 fail
Pass 22 Apr 2026 152,956 miles
Pass 17 Jan 2025 152,638 miles

Parking brake lever defective but can be satisfactorily operated (1.1.6 (d))

Pass 1 Dec 2023 152,367 miles
Pass 7 Oct 2022 151,556 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 3 Oct 2022 151,545 miles

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

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

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 22 Jul 2022 151,530 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front sill and floor corroded but not within 30 cm of a prescribed area

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 24 Jun 2020 150,576 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 3 Jul 2019 149,265 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 1 Jul 2019 149,254 miles

Central Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 15 Sep 2017 148,164 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear. (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 13 Sep 2017 148,153 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Exhaust engine idle speed too high (7.3.A.2a)

Nearside Front Mechanical brake component locking device missing (3.5.1l)

Offside Front Mechanical brake component locking device missing (3.5.1l)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear. (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 3 Jul 2015 147,767 miles

Nearside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Offside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 1 Jul 2015 147,752 miles

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

Offside Front Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

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

Nearside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Offside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 23 Jun 2015 147,738 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front Brake pump insecurely mounted (3.6.A.2a)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately supported (3.6.B.1)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 13 Mar 2015 147,724 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Nearside front inner wing corroded.

Nearside front sill/jacking point corroded but not with prescribed area.

Offside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Offside rear wheel arch corroded.

Pass 27 Jun 2014 147,530 miles

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

both outer sill have filler repair in them

slight play in steering arms

under side of car rusty

Fail 19 Jun 2014 147,528 miles

Additional braking device insecure (3.6.I.1)

Nearside Front Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

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

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

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

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

both outer sill have filler repair in them

nearside front outer sill holded but not within mounting points. nearside inner wheel arch under battery tray holded but within mounting point

slight play in steering arms

under side of car rusty

Pass 18 Jan 2012 146,057 miles
Pass 14 Jan 2011 142,633 miles
Pass 13 Jan 2010 137,966 miles
Pass 8 Feb 2008 133,520 miles
Pass 29 Jan 2007 126,546 miles
Fail 29 Jan 2007 126,546 miles

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

Nearside Front Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 1 Feb 2006 123,197 miles

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

F271 GBW is a 1988 Mercedes-benz 420 in Silver with a 4,196cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

Across all 1988 Mercedes-benz 420 models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.3% with a typical mileage of 101,568 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 420 fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 647 recorded failures. If you're considering buying F271 GBW, 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 38 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 F271 GBW?

You can check the full history of F271 GBW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F271 GBW registered?

F271 GBW is a 1988 Mercedes-benz 420, first registered on 29 September 1988.

Is F271 GBW safe to buy?

The MOT history for F271 GBW shows 24 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F271 GBW 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 F271 GBW. 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.