Is the 1991 MERCEDES 200 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MERCEDES 200s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 54 tests. That's 14 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1991 MERCEDES 200 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 MERCEDES 200?

The 1991 MERCEDES 200 has a 96% MOT pass rate based on 54 tests in 2026. This ranks 9 out of 179 cars from 1991.

Which year MERCEDES 200 is most reliable?

The 1991 MERCEDES 200 has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%. The least reliable year is 1990 at 65%.

MERCEDES 200 (1991)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1991 MERCEDES 200?

The average mileage for a 1991 MERCEDES 200 is 144,472 miles, which is below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 54 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,897

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

96%

Excellent

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Petrol

Great Choice

96% pass rate, £1897/year to run. 14 points above average.

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Petrol1997cc35 years old54 tests144k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1997cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,897

Per month£158/mo

Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

96% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 35 years old, 96% of MERCEDES 200s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 54 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 144,472 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars9th of 179(top 5%)

Rank among MERCEDES models205th of 1,408(top 15%)

vs national average+14%(82% avg)

vs 1991 cars average+18%(78% avg)

vs MERCEDES average+9%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

144,472

Average miles

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 MERCEDES 200 has 144,472 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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MERCEDES 200 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	97%	34	38,851 mi
2017	100%	38	38,667 mi
2016	79%	47	73,951 mi
2010	83%	41	77,463 mi
2009	69%	32	94,118 mi
2008	73%	48	104,422 mi
2007	72%	78	124,603 mi
2006	76%	38	112,920 mi
1993	75%	118	152,445 mi
1992	77%	123	142,692 mi
1991	96%	54	144,472 mi
1990	65%	79	147,303 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-16%

BMW 3 SERIES

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£1,867/year

84%

-12%

FORD ESCORT

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

-11%

MAZDA MX-5

1991 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,827/year

78%

-18%

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About the 1991 MERCEDES 200

The 1991 MERCEDES 200 is a family car with a 1997cc petrol engine. 54 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 5% of all 1991 cars for reliability.

With an average of 144,472 miles at 35 years old, MERCEDES 200 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1991 MERCEDES 200 Fuel Costs

The 1997cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 MERCEDES 200?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

MERCEDES 200 Reliability Trend

Older MERCEDES 200s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 6 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1991 MERCEDES 200

At 35 years old, the MERCEDES 200 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 54 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 MERCEDES 200's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 35 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 144k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1991 MERCEDES 200 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES 200(1991)	96%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£1897
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£30
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)	84%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£30
FORD ESCORT(1990)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£220
MAZDA MX-5(1991)	78%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£70

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.