1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 555 MOT tests analysed for the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 78.7% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (79.1%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 62 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.0% | 50 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 39 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 34 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 31 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 36 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 35 |
| 3 | Non catalyst emissions | 27 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 20 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 18 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 16 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 30.6% | 170 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.5% | 158 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 85 |
| 4 | Tyres | 14.9% | 83 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.2% | 73 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.0% | 61 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 85 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 117 | 21.4% |
| 120-150k | 128 | 22.7% |
| 150k+ | 192 | 21.9% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 379 | 19.8% |
| Diesel | 176 | 24.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 129 | 24.0% |
| 2022 | 110 | 21.8% |
| 2023 | 109 | 18.4% |
| 2024 | 104 | 22.1% |
| 2025 | 103 | 19.4% |
What to check before buying a 1990 190
Before buying a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (11.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190s pass their MOT?
78.7% of the 555 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.2% of tests, followed by suspension (9.0%).
Does the 1990 190 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 60-90k band to 21.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 555 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.