How much does a 1991 MERCEDES 230 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,577 (£215/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 MERCEDES 230?

The 1991 MERCEDES 230 has a 78% MOT pass rate based on 294 tests in 2026. This ranks 99 out of 179 cars from 1991.

Which year MERCEDES 230 is most reliable?

The 1990 MERCEDES 230 has the highest MOT pass rate at 86%. The least reliable year is 1992 at 75%.

MERCEDES 230 (1991)

Q: Is the 1991 MERCEDES 230 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 78% of MERCEDES 230s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 294 tests. That's 4 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1991 MERCEDES 230?

The average mileage for a 1991 MERCEDES 230 is 135,658 miles, which is below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 294 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,577

£215/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2298cc Petrol

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £2577/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol2298cc35 years old294 tests136k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2298cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2298cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,577

Per month£215/mo

Per week£50/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

78% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 35 years old, 78% of MERCEDES 230s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 294 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 135,658 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars99th of 179(top 55%)

Rank among MERCEDES models1169th of 1,408(top 83%)

vs national average-4%(82% avg)

vs 1991 cars average+0%(78% avg)

vs MERCEDES average-9%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

135,658

Average miles

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 MERCEDES 230 has 135,658 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-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 1990 model with a 86% MOT pass rate, while the 1992 model has the lowest at 75%. The 1991 sits between the two at 78%.

MERCEDES 230 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1992	75%	315	147,011 mi
1991	78%	294	135,658 mi
1990	86%	274	116,513 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 3 SERIES

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£1,867/year

84%

+6%

MERCEDES 190 E

1992 · 1997cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

+1%

SAAB 900

1993 · 1985cc Petrol

£2,017/year

73%

-5%

FORD ESCORT

1993 · 1993cc Petrol

£1,867/year

83%

+5%

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About the 1991 MERCEDES 230

The 1991 MERCEDES 230 is a large car with a 2298cc petrol engine. 294 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1991, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 135,658 miles at 35 years old, MERCEDES 230 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1991 MERCEDES 230 Fuel Costs

The 2298cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 MERCEDES 230?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,577 (£215/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MERCEDES 230 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.

Buying a Used 1991 MERCEDES 230

At 35 years old, the MERCEDES 230 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 1990 model has the highest pass rate at 86%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 MERCEDES 230's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 35 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 136k 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 1991 MERCEDES 230 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES 230(1991)	78%	£1592	£430	Grp 25-38	£2577
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)	84%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£710
MERCEDES 190 E(1992)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£560
SAAB 900(1993)	73%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£560
FORD ESCORT(1993)	83%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£710

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.