Mercedes Benz
190
1,655 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where 190s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 4.5 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
73.0%
Pass-after-fix
5.1%
Fail
20.4%
Avg miles
122,047
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Trim variants
The picture
190: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 747 MOT tests, the 190 returns 75.9% first-time pass — roughly in line with the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. A torn suspension dust cover and a corroded brake pipe round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 124,268, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 28–46
A high-group car — insurance costs will be significantly above average. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
28–46
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
64 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 02
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
60 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 03
Emissions levels exceed default limits
46 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 04
A battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier
44 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 05
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
38 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 06
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
32 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 07
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
31 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 08
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
30 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 09
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
28 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 10
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
25 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Buying or keeping a 190?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 190 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.