How much does a 2006 MERCEDES 280 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 MERCEDES 280?

The 2006 MERCEDES 280 has a 79% MOT pass rate based on 39 tests in 2026. This ranks 190 out of 575 cars from 2006.

What is the average mileage for a 2006 MERCEDES 280?

The average mileage for a 2006 MERCEDES 280 is 125,816 miles, which is in line with the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

MERCEDES 280 (2006)

Q: Is the 2006 MERCEDES 280 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 79% of MERCEDES 280s from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 39 tests. That's 3 points below the national average of 82%.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 39 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,195

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

79%

Average

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2746cc Diesel

Check Carefully

79% pass rate, £2195/year to run. Close to the national average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific MERCEDES 280

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

Diesel2746cc20 years old39 tests126k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2746cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2746cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,195

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/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 280

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

79% 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 20 years old, 79% of MERCEDES 280s from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 39 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 125,816 miles.

Got a MERCEDES 280 you're looking at?

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

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 cars190th of 575(top 33%)

Rank among MERCEDES models1143th of 1,408(top 81%)

vs national average-3%(82% avg)

vs 2006 cars average+6%(73% avg)

vs MERCEDES average-8%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

125,816

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2006 MERCEDES 280 has 125,816 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific MERCEDES 280?

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

MERCEDES 280 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2007	97%	34	127,342 mi
2006	79%	39	125,816 mi
1993	89%	70	134,622 mi
1990	94%	32	51,363 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 3 SERIES

2008 · 2926cc Diesel

£1,900/year

80%

+1%

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

2007 · 2370cc Diesel

£2,050/year

75%

-4%

FORD TRANSIT

2008 · 2402cc Diesel

£2,250/year

69%

-10%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

2006 · 2495cc Diesel

£2,050/year

78%

-1%

Check a Specific Mercedes 280

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 2006 MERCEDES 280

The 2006 MERCEDES 280 is a large car with a 2746cc diesel engine. 39 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2006, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 125,816 miles at 20 years old, MERCEDES 280 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2006 MERCEDES 280 Fuel Costs

The 2746cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. 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 2006 MERCEDES 280?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 79% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2006 MERCEDES 280

At 20 years old, the MERCEDES 280 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 39 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2006 MERCEDES 280'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 126k 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 2006 MERCEDES 280 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES 280(2006)	79%	£1245	£395	Grp 30-42	£2195
BMW 3 SERIES(2008)	80%	£1245	£250	Grp 30-42	£1900-£295
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2007)	75%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
FORD TRANSIT(2008)	69%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2250+£55
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2006)	78%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145

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.