1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 3.8L Petrol · A602 SBV

The 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 presents as roadworthy with a stable maintenance trend. The most recent test on 19 December 2025 at 110,796 miles returned a pass with no defects recorded, following a clean pass on 6 December 2024 at 109,359 miles. The vehicle shows no recurring advisories or mechanical faults across the available five-year record, indicating consistent compliance with MOT standards. Recorded mileage sits at 110,796 against an approximate 42-year lifespan, equating to roughly 2,638 miles per year. The test on 27 February 2023 captured 105,154 miles, rising to 109,354 by the failed test of 28 November 2024 and 109,359 by the pass eight days later. A narrow gap of only five miles separates the November 2024 failure and December 2024 pass, suggesting a quick rectification rather than sustained neglect. Annual use remained low throughout, with no rapid accumulation that would accelerate drivetrain or suspension wear. The single failure on 28 November 2024 at 109,354 miles listed no defects, an irregular entry that may reflect an administrative abort or presentation issue rather than a mechanical fault. Given the clean slate since, a buyer should still commission an in-person inspection of age-specific items: suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs and calipers for binding, and structural integrity beneath arches and sills for corrosion. The low standing mileage raises the risk of perished rubber components and seized mechanisms even where the MOT shows clear. Emissions from the older V8 should be verified against period tolerances, and tyres, wiper blades and flexible hoses checked for degradation from infrequent use. The record implies a keeper who stored the car lightly and addressed the 2024 anomaly promptly, but paper cleanliness on a 42-year-old Mercedes does not exempt the chassis from hidden rust or dried seals.