1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 3.0L Petrol · D46 SHJ

The 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 presents a stable roadworthiness profile. The most recent test on 14 August 2025 at 131,538 miles returned a pass with no defects recorded, continuing an unbroken five-year sequence of clean MOT outcomes. The maintenance trend is steady rather than worsening, with no advisories or failures logged across the entire supplied history. Annual mileage remains low for a 40-year-old vehicle. The record shows 118,578 miles in July 2021, rising to 119,055 by September 2022, 121,163 in September 2023, 125,396 in August 2024, and 131,538 in August 2025. That equates to roughly 3,200 miles per year, consistent with light use or extended standing periods. The gaps between tests are short and regular, with no abrupt accumulation or missing entries to suggest neglected storage. A clean MOT sheet on a classic Mercedes does not exempt the buyer from physical inspection. The tester recorded no corrosion, suspension bushes, brake discs, or exhaust emissions issues, yet 39 years of age invites hidden structural rust on chassis rails and sills beneath underseal. Drivetrain and cooling system integrity on the OM103 inline-six cannot be judged from a pass with no defects. Prospective buyers should verify the bodywork, subframe mounts, and flexible brake hoses in person. Low mileage combined with standing invites perished rubber, stiff calipers, and flat-spotted tyres. The owner clearly kept the car to test standard, but MOT cleanliness on a 1986 saloon reflects minimum legal threshold, not mechanical condition.