Mercedes Benz 500 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the Mercedes Benz 500. Check any 500 by registration number below.

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85.6%

Avg Pass Rate

-4.6%

vs Mercedes Benz Avg

Year Ranges

Excellent

Reliability

Mercedes Benz 500 — MOT Reliability Overview

The Mercedes Benz 500 has an average MOT pass rate of 85.6%, which is 4.6 percentage points below the Mercedes Benz brand average of 90.2%. This is a strong result, indicating that the 500 is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

The most common reasons a Mercedes Benz 500 fails its MOT are a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. If you are preparing your 500 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used Mercedes Benz 500, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the Mercedes Benz 500 performs at MOT across different model years.

1993

Based on 369 vehicles

86.4%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

1.4%

Retest Rate

9.5%

1992

Based on 309 vehicles

84.1%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

1.3%

Retest Rate

11.9%

1991

Based on 454 vehicles

85.0%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

1.2%

Retest Rate

10.3%

1990

Based on 373 vehicles

84.7%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

0.7%

Retest Rate

6.0%

1989

Based on 433 vehicles

91.5%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

1.3%

Retest Rate

2.2%

1988

Based on 311 vehicles

83.9%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

1.4%

Retest Rate

12.4%

1987

Based on 325 vehicles

83.4%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

0.4%

Retest Rate

11.4%

1986

Based on 228 vehicles

81.6%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

0.6%

Retest Rate

11.5%

1985

Based on 304 vehicles

87.8%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

5.0%

1984

Based on 130 vehicles

86.9%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

2.4%

Retest Rate

10.7%

1983

Based on 83 vehicles

86.7%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

2.8%

Retest Rate

2.8%

Top MOT Failures — Mercedes Benz 500

The most common reasons a Mercedes Benz 500 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc

7.0%

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

4.4%

A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

2.7%

Mercedes Benz 500 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Front Offside

4.1%

Rear Offside

2.7%

Front Nearside

2.4%

Other Mercedes Benz Models

Compare MOT reliability across Mercedes Benz models.

Mercedes Benz E 300

94.2% pass rate

Mercedes Benz E

83.5% pass rate

Mercedes Benz Amg Gla 45 S 4matic+ Auto

92.7% pass rate

Mercedes Benz V

85.8% pass rate

Mercedes Benz Vito 112

87.8% pass rate

Mercedes Benz Sl 500

100.0% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for Mercedes Benz 500

Mercedes Benz 500 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Mercedes Benz 500 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes Benz 500?

The average MOT pass rate for the Mercedes Benz 500 is 85.6% compared to the Mercedes Benz average of 90.2%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes Benz 500?

The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes Benz 500 are: A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (7.0%), The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (4.4%), A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (2.7%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the Mercedes Benz 500 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 85.6%, the Mercedes Benz 500 is rated as "Excellent" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a Mercedes Benz 500?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a Mercedes Benz 500?

Mileage data for the Mercedes Benz 500 is available in the detailed breakdown on this page.

Check Your Mercedes Benz 500's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.