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H48 XUW

1990 Mercedes-benz 280

Red Petrol 2746cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Jan 2027
Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

88,726 mi
Last recorded88,726 miles
Recorded on8 Jan 2026
Typical for 1990 Mercedes-benz 28042,460 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationH48 XUW
MakeMercedes-benz
Model280
Year1990
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 14 fail
Pass 8 Jan 2026 88,726 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Dec 2024 85,427 miles
Pass 17 Nov 2023 82,328 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

REAR SEATS REMOVED

UNDER BODY SURFACE RUST

Fail 16 Nov 2023 82,327 miles

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

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

REAR SEATS REMOVED

UNDER BODY SURFACE RUST

Fail 18 Oct 2023 82,164 miles

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

no rear seats fitted

Pass 28 Oct 2022 76,117 miles

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Fail 25 Oct 2022 76,115 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorbers insecurely attached (5.3.2 (a) (i))

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

Rear fog lamp switch not operating in accordance with the requirements (4.5.3 (a))

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

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

Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 20 Oct 2021 72,817 miles

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play slight play in ball joint (bitman arm ) (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 21 Oct 2020 69,130 miles
Pass 23 Oct 2019 64,313 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

Fail 15 Oct 2019 64,279 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

Pass 16 Oct 2018 59,362 miles

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

front number plat deteriorating

n/s reversing lamp not working

n/s side step front mounting corroded / broken

Fail 8 Oct 2018 59,362 miles

Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

exhaust blowing slightly on joins

front number plat deteriorating

n/s reversing lamp not working

n/s side step front mounting corroded / broken

Pass 5 Oct 2017 56,531 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

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

front tyres worn unevenly

o/s/r light lens damaged

rear seats not fitted at time of test

remaining steel brake pipes corroding

steel fuel pipes corroding

Pass 12 Oct 2016 52,595 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Front sphere slight leak

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

Offside Front headlamp cracked

Oil leak ()

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

Rear suspension components heavily corroded

fuel pipe corroded

Fail 5 Oct 2016 52,595 miles

Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion bull bars (6.1.C.1)

Nearside Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle parking brake (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Rear Fuel hose excessively damaged fuel pipe going into fuel filter (7.2.2)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Front sphere slight leak

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

Offside Front headlamp cracked

Oil leak ()

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

Rear suspension components heavily corroded

fuel pipe corroded

Pass 13 Oct 2015 49,348 miles

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Front slight corrision on door

Rear door corroded and holed

engine oil leak

fuel hoses persising

reservoir empty for suspected diff lock or transfer box requires investigation

steering ball joint gaitor perishing

Fail 8 Oct 2015 49,348 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases pipes (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Front slight corrision on door

Rear door corroded and holed

engine oil leak

reservoir empty for suspected diff lock or transfer box requires investigation

steering ball joint gaitor perishing

Pass 29 Sep 2014 46,360 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Offside Inner Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test

Fail 24 Sep 2014 46,360 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Offside Inner Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test

Pass 11 Oct 2013 44,438 miles

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

fuel pipes corroded

rear seats missing seat belts okay

front brake disc's corroded inner face

Fail 27 Sep 2013 44,428 miles

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

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Steering damper excessively corroded and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

fuel pipes corroded

rear seats missing seat belts okay

front brake disc's corroded inner face

Pass 5 Oct 2012 42,450 miles

Bonnet retaining device slightly deteriorated (8.4.2)

Offside Front Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

fuel lines corroded

Fail 2 Oct 2012 42,450 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Offside Front Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

fuel lines corroded

Pass 23 Sep 2011 38,577 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Offside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Oil leak

exhaust system badly corroded

front propshaft bolt loose

Fail 22 Sep 2011 38,576 miles

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

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Rear Exhaust has a part missing (7.1.1a)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Offside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Oil leak

exhaust system badly corroded

front propshaft bolt loose

Pass 13 Oct 2010 32,324 miles

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

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

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

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

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

osf headlamp lens cracked

rear seats removed

slight play nsf hub

wind screen damaged out side sweeped area

Fail 25 Sep 2010 32,308 miles

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

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

centre exhaust bracket detached, rec / rep

centre silencer corroded

corrosion on rear door panel

fuel staining at fuel tank ,and fuel filter rec / insp

n/side trackrod end gaiter split

o/side headlight glass damaged

slight freeplay in n/side front hub

windscreen damaged

Pass 16 Oct 2009 27,506 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2009 27,364 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

Pass 9 Oct 2008 22,802 miles
Fail 6 Oct 2008 22,787 miles

Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 25 Sep 2007 17,699 miles
Pass 5 Oct 2006 12,701 miles

rear forward facing passenger saets missing at time of test and seat belts not tested.

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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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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H48 XUW is a 1990 Mercedes-benz 280 in Red with a 2,746cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

Across all 1990 Mercedes-benz 280 models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.2% with a typical mileage of 42,460 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 H48 XUW, 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 36 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 H48 XUW?

You can check the full history of H48 XUW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H48 XUW registered?

H48 XUW is a 1990 Mercedes-benz 280, first registered on 2 August 1990.

Is H48 XUW safe to buy?

The MOT history for H48 XUW shows 34 tests with a 58.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H48 XUW 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 H48 XUW. 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.