Mercedes-Benz 312

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 1996 2.9 diesel. 17 of 54 tests failed, 31%.

Better than 8% of 1996 cars. The typical one fails 25%, across 162 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• Audible warning inoperative
• Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
• Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
• A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn

Where it stands out against its peers

• Lights and electrics: failed more often than 99% of 1996 cars — 76% of its 17 failed tests, where an ordinary 1996 car has 37%.
• Brakes: failed more often than 91% of 1996 cars — 59% of its 17 failed tests, where an ordinary 1996 car has 38%.

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 — 59% of its failures
  • Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
• Suspension — 35% of its failures
  • A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
  • 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 — 24% of its failures
  • Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
• Lights and electrics — 76% of its failures
  • A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• Body and structure — 41% 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
• Visibility — 18% of its failures