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FVN 263J

1971 Mercedes-benz 280

White Petrol 2746cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Nov 2026
Tests22 (16 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate72.7%

Mileage

61,835 mi
Last recorded61,835 miles
Recorded on5 Oct 2025
Typical for 1971 Mercedes-benz 28045,531 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationFVN 263J
MakeMercedes-benz
Model280
Year1971
ColourWhite
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,746cc

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 5 Oct 2025 61,835 miles
Pass 3 Nov 2024 61,824 miles
Pass 4 Sep 2023 61,744 miles
Pass 10 May 2022 61,612 miles
Fail 10 May 2022 61,612 miles

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Pass 7 Feb 2018 60,541 miles
Pass 23 Feb 2016 60,182 miles
Pass 6 Jan 2015 59,942 miles
Pass 28 Oct 2013 58,929 miles
Fail 22 Oct 2013 58,929 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

visual emissions check.

Pass 9 Nov 2012 58,759 miles
Fail 30 Oct 2012 58,758 miles

Centre Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

rear nearside brake has slight bind

Pass 24 Oct 2011 58,015 miles

slight exhaust leak at rear.

visual check only on emissions.

Fail 17 Oct 2011 58,015 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

visual check only on emissions.

slight exhaust leak at rear.

Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 22 Oct 2010 57,665 miles

battery insecure.

Pass 23 Oct 2009 57,078 miles
Pass 29 Oct 2008 56,038 miles
Pass 6 Nov 2007 55,721 miles
Fail 1 Nov 2007 55,721 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 1 Nov 2006 55,555 miles

Nearside Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Nearside Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Offside Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Fail 1 Nov 2006 55,555 miles

Centre Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Nearside Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Offside Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Offside Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Pass 25 Oct 2005 55,372 miles

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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FVN 263J is a 1971 Mercedes-benz 280 in White with a 2,746cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.7%.

Across all 1971 Mercedes-benz 280 models, the average MOT pass rate is 77.5% with a typical mileage of 45,531 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 FVN 263J, 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 55 years old, this Mercedes-benz 280 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of FVN 263J?

You can check the full history of FVN 263J by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FVN 263J registered?

FVN 263J is a 1971 Mercedes-benz 280, first registered on 1 June 1971.

Is FVN 263J safe to buy?

The MOT history for FVN 263J 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 FVN 263J 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 FVN 263J. 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.