Is the 1991 MERCEDES 260 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of MERCEDES 260s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 87 tests. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1991 MERCEDES 260 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,277 (£190/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 MERCEDES 260?

The 1991 MERCEDES 260 has a 92% MOT pass rate based on 87 tests in 2026. This ranks 19 out of 179 cars from 1991.

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 (1991)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1991 MERCEDES 260?

The average mileage for a 1991 MERCEDES 260 is 110,482 miles, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-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 87 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,277

£190/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2599cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £2277/year to run. 10 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific MERCEDES 260

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol2599cc35 years old87 tests110k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2599cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2599cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,277

Per month£190/mo

Per week£44/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this MERCEDES 260

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 35 years old, 92% of MERCEDES 260s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 87 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 110,482 miles.

Got a MERCEDES 260 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars19th of 179(top 11%)

Rank among MERCEDES models522th of 1,408(top 37%)

vs national average+10%(82% avg)

vs 1991 cars average+14%(78% avg)

vs MERCEDES average+5%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

110,482

Average miles

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 MERCEDES 260 has 110,482 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-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?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

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%

-9%

PORSCHE 944

1990 · 2969cc Petrol

£2,247/year

85%

-7%

VOLVO 700 SERIES

1990 · 2316cc Petrol

£2,397/year

75%

-17%

VOLVO 240

1993 · 2316cc Petrol

£2,597/year

68%

-24%

Check a Specific Mercedes 260

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1991 MERCEDES 260

The 1991 MERCEDES 260 is a large car with a 2599cc petrol engine. 87 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 11% of all 1991 cars for reliability.

With an average of 110,482 miles at 35 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.

1991 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 1991 MERCEDES 260?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,277 (£190/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 1991 MERCEDES 260

At 35 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. Note: with only 87 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 MERCEDES 260'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 110k 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 1991 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(1991)	92%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2277
MERCEDES 300(1992)	83%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£30
PORSCHE 944(1990)	85%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£30
VOLVO 700 SERIES(1990)	75%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397+£120
VOLVO 240(1993)	68%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£320

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.