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MERCEDES 208 D (1999)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 134 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,395

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2299cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2395/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Diesel2299cc27 years old134 tests150k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2299cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2299cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,395
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/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

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 27 years old, 67% of MERCEDES 208 Ds from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 134 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 149,570 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 cars322th of 375(top 86%)
Rank among MERCEDES models1383th of 1,408(top 98%)
vs national average-15%(82% avg)
vs 1999 cars average-8%(75% avg)
vs MERCEDES average-20%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

149,570

Average miles

vs

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1999 MERCEDES 208 D has 149,570 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-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?

The most reliable year is the 1996 model with a 78% MOT pass rate, while the 1992 model has the lowest at 61%. The 1999 sits between the two at 67%.

MERCEDES 208 D by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199967%134149,570 mi
199870%166143,742 mi
199775%186154,882 mi
199678%189156,559 mi
199577%112110,550 mi
199473%89108,600 mi
199261%6294,379 mi
199169%8090,995 mi
199075%71109,694 mi

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About the 1999 MERCEDES 208 D

The 1999 MERCEDES 208 D is a large car with a 2299cc diesel engine. 134 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 86% of 1999 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 149,570 miles at 27 years old, MERCEDES 208 D owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1999 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 £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (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 1999 MERCEDES 208 D?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,395 200/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

MERCEDES 208 D Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES 208 Ds show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1999 MERCEDES 208 D

At 27 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

Based on the 1999 MERCEDES 208 D's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 150k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% 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 1999 MERCEDES 208 D stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MERCEDES 208 D(1999)67%£1245£395Grp 25-38£2395
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2001)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£668
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1999)70%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)76%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2001)75%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345

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.

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Related Guides

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