How much does a 1990 MERCEDES 260 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 1990 MERCEDES 260?

The 1990 MERCEDES 260 has a 77% MOT pass rate based on 139 tests in 2026. This ranks 125 out of 190 cars from 1990.

Which year MERCEDES 260 is most reliable?

The 1991 MERCEDES 260 has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%. The least reliable year is 1990 at 77%.

MERCEDES 260 (1990)

Q: Is the 1990 MERCEDES 260 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 77% of MERCEDES 260s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 139 tests. That's 5 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1990 MERCEDES 260?

The average mileage for a 1990 MERCEDES 260 is 118,180 miles, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 139 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,577

£215/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2599cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £2577/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol2599cc36 years old139 tests118k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2599cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2599cc

£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

77% 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 36 years old, 77% of MERCEDES 260s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 139 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 118,180 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars125th of 190(top 66%)

Rank among MERCEDES models1208th of 1,408(top 86%)

vs national average-5%(82% avg)

vs 1990 cars average-2%(79% avg)

vs MERCEDES average-10%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

118,180

Average miles

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 MERCEDES 260 has 118,180 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific MERCEDES 260?

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1991 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 1990 model has the lowest at 77%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

MERCEDES 260 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1992	78%	224	97,921 mi
1991	92%	87	110,482 mi
1990	77%	139	118,180 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MERCEDES 300

1992 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,247/year

83%

+6%

PORSCHE 944

1990 · 2969cc Petrol

£2,247/year

85%

+8%

VOLVO 700 SERIES

1990 · 2316cc Petrol

£2,397/year

75%

-2%

VOLVO 240

1992 · 2316cc Petrol

£2,397/year

72%

-5%

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About the 1990 MERCEDES 260

The 1990 MERCEDES 260 is a large car with a 2599cc petrol engine. 139 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1990, the average MOT pass rate is 79%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 118,180 miles at 36 years old, MERCEDES 260 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.

1990 MERCEDES 260 Fuel Costs

The 2599cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. 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 1990 MERCEDES 260?

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 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MERCEDES 260 Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES 260s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 8 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1990 MERCEDES 260

At 36 years old, the MERCEDES 260 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1990 MERCEDES 260's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 36 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 118k 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 1990 MERCEDES 260 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES 260(1990)	77%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2577
MERCEDES 300(1992)	83%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£330
PORSCHE 944(1990)	85%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£330
VOLVO 700 SERIES(1990)	75%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£180
VOLVO 240(1992)	72%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£180

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.