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WAD 278

1988 Mercedes-benz 420

Blue Petrol 4196cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Jun 2027
Tests19 (18 pass, 1 fail)
Pass rate94.7%

Mileage

36,026 mi
Last recorded36,026 miles
Recorded on1 Jul 2026
Typical for 1988 Mercedes-benz 420101,568 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationWAD 278
MakeMercedes-benz
Model420
Year1988
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine4,196cc

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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

18 pass 1 fail
Pass 1 Jul 2026 36,026 miles
Pass 1 Jul 2025 35,879 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2022 35,817 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2021 35,609 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2020 35,503 miles
Pass 31 May 2019 35,131 miles
Pass 15 May 2018 34,962 miles
Pass 31 May 2017 34,900 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2016 34,571 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2015 34,125 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 28 Mar 2015 34,125 miles
Pass 3 May 2013 33,915 miles

N/S/F track control arm inner ball joint has some slight play.

Pass 25 May 2012 33,849 miles
Pass 12 May 2011 33,506 miles
Pass 23 Apr 2010 33,127 miles
Pass 15 May 2009 32,802 miles
Pass 15 May 2008 32,346 miles
Pass 9 May 2007 32,037 miles
Pass 4 May 2006 31,691 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

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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WAD 278 is a 1988 Mercedes-benz 420 in Blue with a 4,196cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 19 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 94.7%.

Across all 1988 Mercedes-benz 420 models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.3% with a typical mileage of 101,568 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 WAD 278, 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 38 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 WAD 278?

You can check the full history of WAD 278 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was WAD 278 registered?

WAD 278 is a 1988 Mercedes-benz 420, first registered on 3 June 1988.

Is WAD 278 safe to buy?

The MOT history for WAD 278 shows 19 tests with a 94.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does WAD 278 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 WAD 278. 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.