Mercedes-Benz 220
Registered from 1993 to 2019.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 1993 2.2 petrol. 22 of 109 tests failed, 20%.
Better than 67% of 1993 cars. The typical one fails 23%, across 93 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 55% | 12 |
| Lights and electrics | 55% | 12 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 45% | 10 |
| Body and structure | 41% | 9 |
| Suspension | 36% | 8 |
| Tyres and wheels | 14% | 3 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- 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
Where it stands out against its peers
- Brakes: failed more often than 91% of 1993 cars — 55% of its 22 failed tests, where an ordinary 1993 car has 36%.
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 — 55% of its failures
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
- Exhaust and emissions — 45% of its failures
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
- Suspension — 36% 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
- Tyres and wheels — 14% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 55% of its failures
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A mandatory tell-tale for main beam headlamp or rear fog lamp missing or inoperative
- Body and structure — 41% of its failures
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- 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