Does the Mercedes-Benz 300 fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz 300 records 6.39 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 7.61 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.22, 95% interval −1.62 to −0.82). It ranks 389 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Mercedes-Benz 300 by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz 300 is “Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated”, recorded 532 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 532 | 2.92 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 258 | 1.42 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 185 | 1.02 |
| Steering box leaking oil | 61 | 0.34 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 18,189 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Mercedes-Benz 300 gets a steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?
10.2% of Mercedes-Benz 300 MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 930 miles later (791 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 791 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Mercedes-Benz 300 in Norway · Mercedes-Benz 300 in the Netherlands · Mercedes-Benz 300 by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz 300 body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz 300 brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz 300 vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz 300 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz 300 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz 300 road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz 300 seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz 300 suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz 300 tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz 300 visibility failures