At a Glance
The Mercedes-benz 208d has 64 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the T1/TN (1977-1995) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 120K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Mercedes-benz 208d common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Mercedes-benz 208d generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Help other Mercedes-benz 208d owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Browse Mercedes-benz 208d Generations
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Most Common Mercedes-benz 208d MOT Failures
Every reason Mercedes-benz 208d vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake performance below minimum | 8.95% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.21% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 4.86% |
| 4 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 4.85% |
| 5 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.85% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 4.44% |
| 7 | Track rod end worn | 4.03% |
| 8 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.00% |
| 9 | Tyre condition | 3.97% |
| 10 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.47% |
| 11 | Exhaust system fault | 3.05% |
| 12 | Front lamp not working | 3.05% |
| 13 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.62% |
| 14 | Chassis condition | 2.44% |
| 15 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.41% |
| 16 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.41% |
| 17 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 2.21% |
| 18 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.98% |
| 19 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.86% |
| 20 | Fog lamp not working | 1.86% |
| 21 | Front suspension fault | 1.31% |
| 22 | Parking brake condition | 1.31% |
| 23 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.29% |
| 24 | Position lamp not working | 1.28% |
| 25 | Rear lamp not working | 1.26% |
| 26 | Indicator fault | 1.24% |
| 27 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.07% |
| 28 | Headlamp fault | 0.94% |
| 29 | Horn not working | 0.80% |
| 30 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.78% |
| 31 | Drag link end worn | 0.74% |
| 32 | Steering rack fault | 0.74% |
| 33 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.74% |
| 34 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.67% |
| 35 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.61% |
| 36 | Seat belt condition | 0.51% |
| 37 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.45% |
| 38 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.42% |
| 39 | Electrical switch fault | 0.42% |
| 40 | Steering free play excessive | 0.40% |
| 41 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.37% |
| 42 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.36% |
| 43 | Brake pedal fault | 0.34% |
| 44 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.34% |
| 45 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.33% |
| 46 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.31% |
| 47 | ABS fault | 0.31% |
| 48 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.30% |
| 49 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.25% |
| 50 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.23% |
| 51 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.22% |
| 52 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.21% |
| 53 | Brake fluid leak | 0.20% |
| 54 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.20% |
| 55 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.19% |
| 56 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.19% |
| 57 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.19% |
| 58 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.19% |
| 59 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.19% |
| 60 | Rear suspension fault | 0.19% |
| 61 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.18% |
| 62 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.17% |
| 63 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.15% |
| 64 | Brake lever fault | 0.15% |
| 65 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.15% |
| 66 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.14% |
| 67 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.13% |
| 68 | Steering operation fault | 0.13% |
| 69 | Brake caliper fault | 0.12% |
| 70 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.12% |
| 71 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.12% |
| 72 | Body security fault | 0.12% |
| 73 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.12% |
| 74 | Steering box fault | 0.11% |
| 75 | Steering lock fault | 0.11% |
| 76 | Steering arm worn | 0.10% |
| 77 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.09% |
| 78 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.09% |
| 79 | Towbar fault | 0.09% |
| 80 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.09% |
| 81 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.09% |
| 82 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.08% |
| 83 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.08% |
| 84 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.08% |
| 85 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.08% |
| 86 | Airbag warning light on | 0.07% |
| 87 | Power steering pump fault | 0.07% |
| 88 | Stub axle worn | 0.07% |
| 89 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.07% |
| 90 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.07% |
| 91 | Driver seat fault | 0.06% |
| 92 | Steering column fault | 0.06% |
| 93 | Suspension unit fault | 0.06% |
| 94 | Front passenger door fault | 0.06% |
| 95 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.06% |
| 96 | Speedometer fault | 0.06% |
| 97 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 98 | Steering coupling worn | 0.06% |
| 99 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.06% |
| 100 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.05% |
| 101 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 102 | Driver door fault | 0.05% |
| 103 | Passenger seat fault | 0.05% |
| 104 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.05% |
| 105 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 106 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.04% |
| 107 | Loading door damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 108 | Steering drive system fault | 0.04% |
| 109 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.04% |
| 110 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 111 | Spring saddle corroded | 0.04% |
| 112 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.04% |
| 113 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.04% |
| 114 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 115 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 116 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 117 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.03% |
| 118 | Spare wheel fault | 0.03% |
| 119 | Step damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 120 | Driveshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 121 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 122 | Steering shaft fault | 0.03% |
| 123 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 124 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.03% |
| 125 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 126 | Brake relay lever fault | 0.02% |
| 127 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.02% |
| 128 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 129 | Dip switch fault | 0.02% |
| 130 | Dropside damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 131 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | 0.02% |
| 132 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 133 | Semaphore indicator fault | 0.02% |
| 134 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.02% |
| 135 | Additional braking device fault | 0.02% |
| 136 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 137 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 138 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 139 | Universal joint worn | 0.01% |
| 140 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.01% |
| 141 | Brake valve fault | 0.01% |
| 142 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.01% |
| 143 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 144 | Brake pedal linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 145 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 146 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 147 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 148 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 149 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.01% |
| 150 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 151 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 155 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 156 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 159 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 161 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 162 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 163 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 165 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 166 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 168 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 176 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 180 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 181 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 182 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 183 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 184 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 184 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Mercedes-benz 208d MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Mercedes-benz 208d, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mercedes-benz 208d problems?
Based on analysis of 120K Mercedes-benz 208d MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 64 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake hydraulic component worn". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Mercedes-benz 208d generation has the most problems?
The Mercedes-benz 208d T1/TN (1977-1995) (1977–1995) has the highest number of identified common problems (86). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Mercedes-benz 208d?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mercedes-benz 208d owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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