Mercedes-Benz 208 D

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 1997 2.3 diesel. 23 of 78 tests failed, 29%.

Better than 22% of 1997 cars. The typical one fails 26%, across 225 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
• 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
• A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
• A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
• Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced

Where it stands out against its peers

• Brakes: failed more often than 93% of 1997 cars — 61% of its 23 failed tests, where an ordinary 1997 car has 39%.
• Body and structure: failed more often than 94% of 1997 cars — 52% of its 23 failed tests, where an ordinary 1997 car has 29%.
• Steering: failed more often than 97% of 1997 cars — 30% of its 23 failed tests, where an ordinary 1997 car has 5%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• Brakes — 61% of its failures
  • A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
• Suspension — 48% of its failures
  • 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
  • A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• Steering — 30% of its failures
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
• Lights and electrics — 43% of its failures
  • A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
• Body and structure — 52% of its failures
  • 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
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
• Visibility — 26% of its failures