Official DVLA Record
Road Tax Paid

1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 4.2L Petrol · 5 KSW

5 KSW

1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 (4.2L, petrol). First registered 01/06/1988. Recorded mileage 56,535 miles. MOT status: Expired. Taxed until 01/08/2026.

Make & Model
MERCEDES-BENZ 420
Year / Origin
1988
MOT Status
Valid until 29/07/2026
Road Tax
Taxed (01/08/2026)
Recorded Mileage
56,535 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 4.2L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Expired
Valid until 29/07/2026
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax due 01/08/2026
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
1988
Engine
4196cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle currently holds a PASSED MOT on 2025-07-23 at 56,535 miles, indicating that the most recent test was conducted approximately six months ago. This suggests that the maintenance trend is currently stable, as the test date falls within the typical window where the vehicle has been inspected and passed for good. However, the record indicates that the most recent test is not the sole factor; the vehicle has a history of passing tests in 2022-04-01 at 55,728 miles, which is significantly older than the most recent date, implying that the vehicle may have been maintained in a state of substandard condition over several years. Regarding the mileage pattern, the vehicle has maintained a relatively low annual mileage of approximately 1,488 miles over its recorded lifespan. While this is low for an 1988 model, it does not represent an improvement in maintenance habits; rather, it reflects potential use patterns such as long periods of standing or less frequent driving. The data shows that the vehicle has been tested in 2021-03-05 at 55,547 miles, which is 11 years prior to the most recent test, suggesting that the vehicle has experienced significant wear on its drivetrain components and that the maintenance history contains gaps or irregularities that may contribute to current issues. In conclusion, the vehicle is roadworthy but requires immediate and thorough inspection of the most recent MOT record. While the current test date places the vehicle at 56,535 miles, the history of passing tests in 2022-04-01 at 55,728 miles indicates that the vehicle may have been maintained in a substandard condition over several years. Buyers should inspect the most recent MOT record for the offside rear brake pipe for corrosion and any other defects, as well as the rear coil spring and wheel bearing play, to assess the structural integrity and mechanical condition of the vehicle.

5 KSW Key Findings

  • 4 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 23/07/2025
  • 56,535 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring brakes items (3 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

Updating live data
MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
65
/ 100 · Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Average

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed
✓ Taxed
✓ Exceptional MOT pass rate (100%)
! Older vehicle
Experian Provenance Check

Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for 5KSW

Data provided by Experian
Stolen
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Finance
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Write-off
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Salvage
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Imported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Exported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Scrapped
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Destruction
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
V5C Logbook
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
£20,000 Experian Data Guarantee Included

Verify Outstanding Finance & Provenance Before Buying

Free DVLA records only confirm roadworthiness. Protect yourself against active finance repossession, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage fraud with an official Experian check.

✓ One-off payment (no subscription)✓ Instant on screen + PDF emailed✓ Official Experian registry✓ Apple Pay / Google Pay / Cards

Data provided by Experian

Technical Specifications

May be subject to ULEZ charges

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

Estimate current market value

Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.

5 KSW Mileage History

  1. 01/04/202255,728 mi
  2. 31/07/202356,115 mi+387 mi
  3. 24/07/202456,257 mi+142 mi
  4. 23/07/202556,535 mi+278 mi

Average of roughly 244 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.

5 KSW MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 1 Aug 2026, 02:00
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

4 MOT tests are recorded for this 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 (5 KSW) between April 2022 and July 2025.

The record contains 4 passes and 0 failures.

The record shows no MOT failures, although 5 advisory notices note items to monitor.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (3 issues), Lighting (1 issue), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 5 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY