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G861 XJM

1989 Mercedes-benz 280

Red Petrol 2746cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Jan 2027
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

98,581 mi
Last recorded98,581 miles
Recorded on14 Jan 2026
Typical for 1989 Mercedes-benz 28046,165 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationG861 XJM
MakeMercedes-benz
Model280
Year1989
ColourRed
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

20 pass 10 fail
Pass 14 Jan 2026 98,581 miles

Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Pass 16 Jan 2025 98,241 miles
Fail 4 Dec 2024 98,188 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength shocker mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 3 Jan 2024 97,931 miles

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Fail 2 Jan 2024 97,930 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Pass 23 Nov 2022 97,562 miles

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

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front slight oil leak from hub

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

Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Pass 9 Dec 2021 97,224 miles

Front Wheel bearing has slight play both sides (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside 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))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shocker bracket (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Pass 18 Dec 2020 96,658 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Fail 20 Oct 2020 96,573 miles

Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired linkage siezed (1.1.17 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn bushes under axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Brake prescribed area is excessively corroded bulk head within 30 cm of brake pedal (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn bushes under axle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 14 May 2019 95,795 miles

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

Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security os front outrigger and osr inner sill panel. (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

both swivel housings leaking.

Fail 2 May 2019

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working lamp also broken (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt both on rear arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security os front outrigger and osr inner sill panel. (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Track rod end ball joint has slight play both on rear arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

both swivel housings leaking.

Pass 11 Apr 2018 95,002 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Front Axle swivel joint have slight oil leak both

Fail 11 Apr 2018 95,002 miles

Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Front Axle swivel joint have slight oil leak both

Pass 10 Apr 2017 94,490 miles
Pass 14 Apr 2016 93,515 miles
Fail 14 Apr 2016 93,515 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Apr 2015 92,795 miles

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

Pass 15 Apr 2014 92,327 miles
Pass 23 Apr 2013 91,659 miles
Fail 16 Apr 2013 91,631 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Macpherson strut insecure (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Pass 12 Apr 2012 90,927 miles
Pass 18 Apr 2011 89,978 miles
Pass 22 Apr 2010 89,628 miles
Fail 12 Apr 2010 89,604 miles

Nearside Outer Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

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

Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)

Fail 7 Apr 2009 89,094 miles

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

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

Pass 7 Apr 2009 89,094 miles

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

Pass 26 Feb 2008 87,989 miles
Pass 20 Feb 2007 86,926 miles
Pass 23 Feb 2006 85,973 miles
Fail 22 Feb 2006 85,961 miles

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

power steering fluid leaking from box

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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G861 XJM is a 1989 Mercedes-benz 280 in Red with a 2,746cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 G861 XJM, 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 G861 XJM?

You can check the full history of G861 XJM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was G861 XJM registered?

G861 XJM is a 1989 Mercedes-benz 280, first registered on 1 October 1989.

Is G861 XJM safe to buy?

The MOT history for G861 XJM shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does G861 XJM 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 G861 XJM. 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.