Mercedes 230
Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 3 model years from 883 MOT tests in 2024.
Avg Pass Rate
80%
Total Tests
883
Highest Pass Rate
1990 (86%)
Years Covered
3
About the Mercedes 230
The Mercedes 230 was MOT tested 883 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 3 model years (1990 to 1992), with an average pass rate of 80%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.
Best and Worst Years
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1990 model has the highest pass rate at 86% from 274 tests. The 1992 model has the lowest at 75%. The 11 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.
Reliability Trend
Older Mercedes 230s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 10 percentage points across model years.
Mileage Across Years
The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 116,513 miles, while the newest (1992) averages 147,011 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.
Compared to the Mercedes brand average of 87%, the 230 is 7 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Mercedes models.
Estimated Running Costs
Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.
Full 1992 detailsHow reliable is the Mercedes 230?
Mercedes 230 by Year
Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.
Questions about the Mercedes 230
Is the Mercedes 230 reliable?
Across its 3 model years in our data (1990 to 1992), the Mercedes 230 averages an 80% MOT pass rate, from 883 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 2 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 1990 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 86%.
Which year Mercedes 230 has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1990 Mercedes 230 has the highest MOT pass rate at 86%, while the 1992 model has the lowest at 75%, a 11 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.
Are newer Mercedes 230s more reliable?
Older Mercedes 230s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 10 percentage points across model years.
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