Mercedes Benz 200 MOT Failures
An analysis of 4,149 real DVSA MOT tests on the Mercedes Benz 200 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Mercedes Benz 200 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Mercedes Benz 200 is free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... — this model is 171 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 4,149 MOT tests, 7.83% of all Mercedes Benz 200 tests recorded this as a failure.
Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.
Other notable weak points include fluid leak (6.8x the fleet average), suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (13x the fleet average), wheel bearings worn (9.9x the fleet average), and emissions failure (163x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Mercedes Benz 200's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 3 categories: Steering, Exhaust & Emissions, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Mercedes Benz 200 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Mercedes Benz 200's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Mercedes Benz 200 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (13x the average) and wheel bearings worn (9.0x). abs fault (7.8x) and abs fault also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Mercedes Benz 200 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (171x the average) and emissions failure (163x). track rod ends worn (12x) and subframe bushes or mounts worn (12x) also appear frequently.
The shift from suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated at lower mileages to free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
What to check before buying a Mercedes Benz 200
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Mercedes Benz 200:
Steering — check for free play in the steering, measured at the rim ..., track rod ends worn. Exhaust & Emissions — check for fluid leak, emissions failure. Suspension — check for suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, wheel bearings worn, subframe bushes or mounts worn, suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe....
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Mercedes Benz 200?
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Mercedes Benz 200 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes Benz 200?
Based on 4,149 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... — at 171x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include fluid leak and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated.
Is the Mercedes Benz 200 reliable based on MOT data?
The Mercedes Benz 200 has 11 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Mercedes Benz 200 most commonly fails on free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... and emissions failure. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are .
How do I check a Mercedes Benz 200's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.