1990 Mercedes-Benz 190: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 than on all cars registered in 1990.

• Coil springs2.5× usual
  Mercedes-Benz 190

  9.8% All 1990 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.5% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Corroded fuel pipes4.3× usual
  Mercedes-Benz 190

  5.6% All 1990 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Ball joint dust cover2.5× usual
  Mercedes-Benz 190

  5.6% All 1990 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.7% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Sub-frame3.1× usual
  Mercedes-Benz 190

  3.4% All 1990 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Battery2.1× usual
  Mercedes-Benz 190

  4% All 1990 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.6% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the car starts cleanly and there are no warning lights once running.

Common 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  32% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  29% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  21% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  17% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Tyres
  16% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Rust and bodywork
  15% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?