Mercedes 208 D (1991)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 80 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,806

£234/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

n/a

2300cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,806/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Diesel2300cc35 years old80 tests91k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2300cc)

~40 mpg

£1,676

Road Tax

Car rate estimate; vans are taxed differently

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,806

Per month£234/mo

Per week£54/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mercedes brand average of 87%.

69% of MOT tests on Mercedes 208 Ds from 1991 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 33 years old. That's based on 80 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 90,995 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 models148th of 172(bottom 15%)

Rank among Mercedes models1340th of 1,376(bottom 3%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 1991 models average-10%(79% avg)

vs Mercedes average-18%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

90,995

Average miles

244,200

Expected for age

The average 1991 Mercedes 208 D had 90,995 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 78%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 67%. The 1991 scores 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Mercedes 208 D by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1999	67%	134	149,570 mi
1998	70%	166	143,742 mi
1997	75%	186	154,882 mi
1996	78%	189	156,559 mi
1995	77%	112	110,550 mi
1994	73%	89	108,600 mi
1992	61%	62	94,379 mi
1991	69%	80	90,995 mi
1990	75%	71	109,694 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Transporter

1992 · 2370cc Diesel

£2,606/year

70%

+1%

Fiat Ducato

1992 · 2445cc Diesel

£2,806/year

68%

-1%

Ford Transit

1990 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,606/year

71%

+2%

Renault Trafic

1992 · 1995cc Diesel

£2,527/year

63%

-6%

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About the 1991 Mercedes 208 D

The 1991 Mercedes 208 D is a van. Our records list a 2300cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 80 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 15% of 1991 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 90,995 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mercedes 208 D owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1991 Mercedes 208 D Fuel Costs

The 2300cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,676 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1991 Mercedes 208 D?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,806 (£234/month), broken down as £1,676 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Mercedes 208 D Reliability Trend

Older Mercedes 208 Ds tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 7 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1991 Mercedes 208 D

At 35 years old, the Mercedes 208 D 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. If you're flexible on year, the 1996 model has the highest pass rate at 78%. Note: with only 80 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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

Medium risk

With an average of 91k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 208 D stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mercedes 208 D(1991)	69%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,806
Volkswagen Transporter(1992)	70%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,606-£200
Fiat Ducato(1992)	68%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,806same
Ford Transit(1990)	71%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,606-£200
Renault Trafic(1992)	63%	£1,397	£375	n/a	£2,527-£279

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1991 Mercedes 208 D

Is the 1991 Mercedes 208 D reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 1991 Mercedes 208 Ds ended in a pass, from 80 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1991 Mercedes 208 D cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,806 a year (£234 a month): £1,676 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 Mercedes 208 D?

69% of 80 MOT tests on the 1991 Mercedes 208 D ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 148th of 172 models first registered in 1991 (bottom 15%).

Which year Mercedes 208 D has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 Mercedes 208 D has the highest MOT pass rate at 78% and the 1999 the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1991 Mercedes 208 D?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1991 Mercedes 208 D is 90,995 miles, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.