Used car guide

1990 Mercedes-Benz 190: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190s, from 456 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 456 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

456MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 1990 cars: 73%)
3,500typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

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

  • Coil springs2.7× usual
    Mercedes-Benz 190
    11.4% All 1990 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, 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.

By area

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
    34% 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
    32% 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
    23% 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
    18% 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
    15% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1993442Brakes 33%
1992545Suspension 34%
1991405Suspension 35%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190s registered in 1990. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score