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J889 HGH

1991 Mercedes 308

Red Diesel 2299cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Jun 2026
Tests24 (16 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

130,221 mi
Last recorded130,221 miles
Recorded on24 Jun 2025
Typical for 1991 Mercedes 308167,009 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationJ889 HGH
MakeMercedes
Model308
Year1991
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,299cc
View full Mercedes 308 reliability data

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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 8 fail
Pass 24 Jun 2025 130,221 miles

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

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

Pass 1 Feb 2024 127,201 miles
Fail 17 Jan 2024 127,177 miles

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Body component damaged and likely to cause injury lens (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 14 Jan 2023 122,811 miles

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

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

Fail 12 Jan 2023 122,811 miles

Offside Rear Bumper damaged and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted end cap (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

Indicator switch insecure (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 11 Jan 2022 116,311 miles

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

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

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

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Pass 8 Jan 2021 103,327 miles

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

Nearside Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 31 Dec 2020 103,318 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid wheel cylinder (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 2 Dec 2019 98,391 miles

Nearside Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

slight lift in both front kingpins

Pass 21 Dec 2018 98,290 miles
Fail 20 Dec 2018 98,264 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Front wheel bearings not tested due to bind,must be tested on retest

Pass 25 Aug 2016 98,152 miles
Fail 17 Aug 2016 98,125 miles

Nearside Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases exhaust tailpipe holed and rusty (7.1.2)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Pass 15 Jul 2015 97,870 miles

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

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

Pass 17 Jul 2014 96,687 miles

Exhaust system corroded

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 12 Jul 2013 93,758 miles

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

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

offside rear brake backplate showing signs off axle oil leak

propshaft center sliding joint has gaiter missing

Fail 10 Jul 2013 93,732 miles

Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Rear Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

offside rear brake backplate showing signs off axle oil leak

propshaft center sliding joint has gaiter missing

Pass 29 Jun 2012 87,250 miles
Pass 5 Jun 2010 87,138 miles

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

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 4 Jun 2010 87,039 miles

Offside Obligatory mirror missing (8.1.1)

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

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

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 17 Sep 2008 86,622 miles

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

interior brake warning light flashing

Fail 27 Aug 2008 86,621 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Pass 27 Sep 2007 84,380 miles
Pass 6 May 2006 84,348 miles

How Reliable is the Mercedes 308?

Based on 987 MOT tests across 194 vehicles.

62.3%
Pass Rate
2,189
Miles/Year
45
Year Lifespan
194
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 95
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 91
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 76
Brake pipe excessively corroded 68
fog lamp not working 53
Full Mercedes 308 reliability report

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J889 HGH is a 1991 Mercedes 308 in Red with a 2,299cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1991 Mercedes 308 models, the average MOT pass rate is 60.8% with a typical mileage of 167,009 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Mercedes 308 fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 95 recorded failures. If you're considering buying J889 HGH, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes 308 typically stays on UK roads for around 45 years. At 35 years old, this Mercedes 308 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J889 HGH?

You can check the full history of J889 HGH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J889 HGH registered?

J889 HGH is a 1991 Mercedes 308, first registered on 31 December 1991.

Is J889 HGH safe to buy?

The MOT history for J889 HGH shows 24 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 J889 HGH 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 J889 HGH. 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.