1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 398 MOT tests analysed for the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 79.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (78.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.4% in the 150k+ group versus 10.8% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 46 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.5% | 42 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.3% | 37 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 27 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 12 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.5% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 29 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 27 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 18 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 15 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 13 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 26.6% | 106 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.6% | 94 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.6% | 70 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.3% | 49 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.8% | 43 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 42 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 37 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 74 | 13.5% |
| 90-120k | 81 | 16.1% |
| 120-150k | 77 | 19.5% |
| 150k+ | 125 | 30.4% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 239 | 24.3% |
| Petrol | 159 | 13.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 20.3% |
| 2022 | 87 | 20.7% |
| 2023 | 82 | 15.8% |
| 2024 | 69 | 20.3% |
| 2025 | 81 | 23.5% |
What to check before buying a 1991 190
Before buying a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (11.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.5% 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 (9.3% 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 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190s pass their MOT?
79.9% of the 398 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests, followed by suspension (10.5%).
Does the 1991 190 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 30-60k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 398 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.