How much does a 1990 MERCEDES 500 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 MERCEDES 500?

The 1990 MERCEDES 500 has a 85% MOT pass rate based on 284 tests in 2026. This ranks 50 out of 190 cars from 1990.

Which year MERCEDES 500 is most reliable?

The 1991 MERCEDES 500 has the highest MOT pass rate at 87%. The least reliable year is 1992 at 81%.

MERCEDES 500 (1990)

Q: Is the 1990 MERCEDES 500 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 85% of MERCEDES 500s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 284 tests. That's 3 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1990 MERCEDES 500?

The average mileage for a 1990 MERCEDES 500 is 108,828 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 284 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

85%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4973cc Petrol

Solid Option

85% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol4973cc36 years old284 tests109k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4973cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 4973cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,757

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/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

85% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 36 years old, 85% of MERCEDES 500s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 284 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 108,828 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars50th of 190(top 26%)

Rank among MERCEDES models903th of 1,408(top 64%)

vs national average+3%(82% avg)

vs 1990 cars average+6%(79% avg)

vs MERCEDES average-2%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

108,828

Average miles

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 MERCEDES 500 has 108,828 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.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1991 model with a 87% MOT pass rate, while the 1992 model has the lowest at 81%. The 1990 sits between the two at 85%.

MERCEDES 500 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1993	85%	324	106,200 mi
1992	81%	254	96,452 mi
1991	87%	356	94,548 mi
1990	85%	284	108,828 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

JAGUAR XJS

1990 · 5343cc Petrol

£2,247/year

82%

-3%

MERCEDES SL

1991 · 4973cc Petrol

£2,247/year

86%

+1%

JAGUAR XJ

1990 · 5345cc Petrol

£2,247/year

86%

+1%

PORSCHE 928 S

1991 · 4957cc Petrol

£2,247/year

81%

-4%

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About the 1990 MERCEDES 500

The 1990 MERCEDES 500 is a performance with a 4973cc petrol engine. 284 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1990, the average MOT pass rate is 79%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 108,828 miles at 36 years old, MERCEDES 500 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 500 Fuel Costs

The 4973cc 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 500?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 85% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MERCEDES 500 Reliability Trend

The MERCEDES 500 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1990 MERCEDES 500

At 36 years old, the MERCEDES 500 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 1991 model has the highest pass rate at 87%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1990 MERCEDES 500'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 109k 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 500 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES 500(1990)	85%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2757
JAGUAR XJS(1990)	82%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
MERCEDES SL(1991)	86%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
JAGUAR XJ(1990)	86%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
PORSCHE 928 S(1991)	81%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510

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.