Mercedes Benz
230
2,210 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where 230s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 2.5 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
75.0%
Pass-after-fix
4.3%
Fail
19.3%
Avg miles
115,593
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
230: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 1,109 MOT tests, the 230 returns 72.9% first-time pass — below 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 lamp out round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 116,453, 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
95 occurrences · 4.3% 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
80 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
75 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 04
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
65 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 05
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
62 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 06
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
44 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 07
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
39 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 08
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
37 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 09
Emissions levels exceed default limits
34 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 10
A battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier
33 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 230?
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 230 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.