Mercedes Benz
280
2,094 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where 280s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 0.9 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
78.4%
Pass-after-fix
5.0%
Fail
15.6%
Avg miles
87,990
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
280: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 1,153 MOT tests, the 280 returns 79.1% 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 windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 91,286, 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
47 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 02
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
38 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
38 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 04
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
38 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 05
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
36 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 06
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
33 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 07
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
32 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 08
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
31 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 09
A battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier
29 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 10
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
27 occurrences · 1.3% 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 280?
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 280 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.