Mercedes 208 D (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 166 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,606

£217/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

n/a

2299cc Diesel

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £2,606/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Diesel2299cc28 years old166 tests144k 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

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mercedes brand average of 87%.

70% of MOT tests on Mercedes 208 Ds from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 166 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 143,742 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models253rd of 325(bottom 23%)

Rank among Mercedes models1332nd of 1,376(bottom 4%)

vs average of all models-12%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-5%(75% avg)

vs Mercedes average-17%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

143,742

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Mercedes 208 D had 143,742 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 1998 scores 70%. 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

1999 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,606/year

70%

same

Fiat Ducato

1999 · 1905cc Diesel

£2,327/year

72%

+2%

Ford Transit

1998 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,606/year

72%

+2%

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About the 1998 Mercedes 208 D

The 1998 Mercedes 208 D is a van. Our records list a 2299cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 166 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 23% of 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 143,742 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mercedes 208 D owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 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 1998 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 70% 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 1998 Mercedes 208 D

At 28 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%.

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 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 1998 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(1998)	70%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,606
Volkswagen Transporter(1999)	70%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,606same
Fiat Ducato(1999)	72%	£1,397	£375	n/a	£2,327-£279
Ford Transit(1998)	72%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,606same

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 1998 Mercedes 208 D

Is the 1998 Mercedes 208 D reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 1998 Mercedes 208 Ds ended in a pass, from 166 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 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 1998 Mercedes 208 D?

70% of 166 MOT tests on the 1998 Mercedes 208 D ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 253rd of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom 23%).

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 1998 Mercedes 208 D?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Mercedes 208 D is 143,742 miles, which is below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.