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F521 RBM

1989 Mercedes-benz 420

Blue Petrol 4196cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires8 Jun 2026
Tests17 (13 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate76.5%

Mileage

207,248 mi
Last recorded207,248 miles
Recorded on9 Jun 2025
Typical for 1989 Mercedes-benz 420104,245 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationF521 RBM
MakeMercedes-benz
Model420
Year1989
ColourBlue
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

13 pass 4 fail
Pass 9 Jun 2025 207,248 miles

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

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

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

Fail 31 May 2025 207,241 miles

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an induction leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

Front Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Nearside Rear Tyre has had the tread recut (5.2.3 (g))

Nearside Rear Tyre has had the tread recut (5.2.3 (g))

Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system grabbing severely (1.3.1 (c))

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

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Fail 29 Aug 2024 207,064 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Pass 16 May 2023 206,658 miles
Fail 19 Apr 2023 206,645 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 11 Jun 2021 205,148 miles

All tyres perishing.

Fail 7 May 2021 205,116 miles

Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high (8.2.1.2 (e))

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Outer Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Outer Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Sill panels have plastic covers,unable to carry out full inspection.

Pass 13 Jun 2015 205,625 miles
Pass 13 Jun 2014 204,430 miles
Pass 25 Jan 2013 202,775 miles

Oil leak

exhaust system slightly corroded

rear differential has a slight oil leak

Pass 27 Jan 2012 200,131 miles

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

Oil leak

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

exhaust system becoming corroded

offside front tyre worn on inner edge

rear differential has a slight oil leak

Pass 14 Jan 2011 195,922 miles
Pass 25 Jan 2010 195,575 miles
Pass 27 Jan 2009 195,528 miles
Pass 25 Jan 2008 194,753 miles
Pass 29 Jan 2007 193,714 miles
Pass 8 Feb 2006 191,315 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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F521 RBM is a 1989 Mercedes-benz 420 in Blue with a 4,196cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 17 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 76.5%.

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 F521 RBM, 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 F521 RBM?

You can check the full history of F521 RBM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F521 RBM registered?

F521 RBM is a 1989 Mercedes-benz 420, first registered on 31 December 1989.

Is F521 RBM safe to buy?

The MOT history for F521 RBM shows 17 tests with a 76.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F521 RBM 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 F521 RBM. 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.