Mercedes 208 D (1994)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 89 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,606

£217/month

MOT Pass Rate

73%

Average

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

n/a

2299cc Diesel

Check Carefully

73% pass rate, £2,606/year to run. 9 points below average.

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Diesel2299cc32 years old89 tests109k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2299cc)

~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

£500

Total per year£2,606

Per month£217/mo

Per week£50/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

73% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mercedes brand average of 87%.

73% of MOT tests on Mercedes 208 Ds from 1994 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 30 years old. That's based on 89 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 108,600 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1994 models145th of 204(bottom half)

Rank among Mercedes models1287th of 1,376(bottom 7%)

vs average of all models-9%(82% avg)

vs 1994 models average-3%(76% avg)

vs Mercedes average-14%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

108,600

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1994 Mercedes 208 D had 108,600 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-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 1994 scores 73%. 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

1995 · 2370cc Diesel

£2,806/year

69%

-4%

Ford Transit

1996 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,606/year

72%

-1%

Fiat Ducato

1996 · 1929cc Diesel

£2,527/year

69%

-4%

Renault Trafic

1992 · 1995cc Diesel

£2,527/year

63%

-10%

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About the 1994 Mercedes 208 D

The 1994 Mercedes 208 D is a van. Our records list a 2299cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 89 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 1994, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 108,600 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.

1994 Mercedes 208 D Fuel Costs

The 2299cc 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 1994 Mercedes 208 D?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,606 (£217/month), broken down as £1,676 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 73% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 1994 Mercedes 208 D

At 32 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 89 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

Watch out

With an average of 109k 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.

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 1994 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(1994)	73%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,606
Volkswagen Transporter(1995)	69%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,806+£200
Ford Transit(1996)	72%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,606same
Fiat Ducato(1996)	69%	£1,397	£375	n/a	£2,527-£79
Renault Trafic(1992)	63%	£1,397	£375	n/a	£2,527-£79

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 1994 Mercedes 208 D

Is the 1994 Mercedes 208 D reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 73% of MOT tests on 1994 Mercedes 208 Ds ended in a pass, from 89 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1994 Mercedes 208 D cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,606 a year (£217 a month): £1,676 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1994 Mercedes 208 D?

73% of 89 MOT tests on the 1994 Mercedes 208 D ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 145th of 204 models first registered in 1994 (bottom half).

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 1994 Mercedes 208 D?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1994 Mercedes 208 D is 108,600 miles, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.