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F48 SEC

1989 Mercedes-benz 420

Grey Petrol 4196cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Nov 2026
Tests22 (16 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate72.7%

Mileage

124,421 mi
Last recorded124,421 miles
Recorded on11 Nov 2025
Typical for 1989 Mercedes-benz 420104,245 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF48 SEC
MakeMercedes-benz
Model420
Year1989
ColourGrey
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

16 pass 6 fail
Pass 11 Nov 2025 124,421 miles

Front some jetts blocked. enough water reaches screen from other jets

Front steering joint rubbers all perishing

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 27 Sep 2023 123,554 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Pass 16 May 2019 122,696 miles
Pass 15 May 2018 121,004 miles

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Oil leak ()

tyres perished

various points of corrosion

Fail 11 May 2018 120,815 miles

Driver's seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.A.2)

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

Front Passenger's seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.A.2)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Oil leak ()

tyres perished

various points of corrosion

Pass 10 May 2017 119,358 miles

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

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

oil leaks

Pass 22 Jun 2016 114,050 miles
Pass 13 Jun 2015 112,323 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak

Fail 13 Jun 2015 112,323 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak

Pass 9 Jun 2014 111,380 miles
Fail 4 Jun 2014 111,369 miles

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Coolant leak

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

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

Offside Inner Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Oil leak

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

front exhaust system deteriorated

front wiper blades deteriorated

Fail 17 May 2014 111,331 miles

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Pass 20 May 2013 110,323 miles

Oil leak

some corrosion

Pass 17 May 2012 105,537 miles

Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Oil leak

Power steering pump has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

all four coil springs starting to corrode

nearside rear tyre punctured

Pass 18 May 2011 101,043 miles
Fail 21 Apr 2011 101,007 miles

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

Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light (1.2.1e)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 22 Apr 2010 98,733 miles
Pass 2 Feb 2009 95,923 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Oil leak

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

both rear and nearside front brake hose ferrules corroded

Fail 27 Jan 2009 95,923 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Oil leak

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

both rear and nearside front brake hose ferrules corroded

front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

offside washer jet blocked

rear brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Pass 1 Feb 2008 90,675 miles

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Pass 15 Nov 2006 85,981 miles
Pass 16 Nov 2005 81,171 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

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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.

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F48 SEC is a 1989 Mercedes-benz 420 in Grey with a 4,196cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.7%.

Across all 1989 Mercedes-benz 420 models, the average MOT pass rate is 78.1% with a typical mileage of 104,245 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 F48 SEC, 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 37 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 F48 SEC?

You can check the full history of F48 SEC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F48 SEC registered?

F48 SEC is a 1989 Mercedes-benz 420, first registered on 30 August 1989.

Is F48 SEC safe to buy?

The MOT history for F48 SEC shows 22 tests with a 72.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F48 SEC 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 F48 SEC. 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.