1985 Mercedes 280 2.7L Petrol · RUM 29G
1985 Mercedes 280 (2.7L, petrol). First registered 01 Aug 1985. Recorded mileage 92,740 miles. MOT valid until 17 Dec 2026. Taxed until 01 May 2027.
- Make & Model
- MERCEDES 280
- Year / Origin
- 1985 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 17 Dec 2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 May 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 92,740 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.7L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
RUM 29G Key Findings
- 2 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 18/12/2025
- 92,740 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
RUM 29G MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
2 MOT tests are recorded for this 1985 Mercedes 280 (RUM 29G) between August 2022 and December 2025.
The record contains 2 passes and 0 failures.
No failures or advisories appear anywhere in the recorded tests, so the documented MOT record is relatively clean.
RUM 29G Mileage History
- 11/08/202292,719 mi
- 18/12/202592,740 mi+21 mi
Average of roughly 6 miles per year across 2 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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MOT Roadworthiness: Excellent
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.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A potentially desirable classic runner,
When inspecting this red 2.8L petrol model, your primary focus should be on verifying that the low mileage is consistent with the vehicle's age and condition. Ask for any available service records to supplement the MOT data, as MOT tests only confirm basic roadworthiness at a single point in time and do not reflect overall mechanical upkeep.
Given the vehicle's age, check for signs of age-related deterioration that an MOT might miss, such as perished rubber seals, dry rot in tyres, or fluid leaks from the 2746cc engine. Ensure that any recent work has been documented, as the gap between the 2022 and 2025 MOT tests indicates a period of potentially infrequent operation.
Running costs for this 1985 classic will be higher than a modern equivalent. As a 2.8-litre petrol engine, fuel economy will be relatively low by contemporary standards, and you should budget for premium fuel if required by the specific engine tuning.
Tax and insurance will depend on the specific group and local rates, but classic car insurance policies may offer more competitive premiums if the vehicle is kept in a garage and driven sparingly. Expect maintenance costs to be higher due to the availability and price of parts for vintage Mercedes models.
Since the MOT history shows no defects for the 2022 and 2025 tests, there are no specific failure patterns to alert you to. However, you should perform a thorough inspection of the braking system and suspension components, as these are common areas of wear on older vehicles.
Check the condition of the red paintwork and any trim pieces for UV damage or corrosion. Because the vehicle has recorded 92,740 miles, inspect the underside for any signs of historical rust or structural degradation that may have been addressed or may still be present.
This 1985 Mercedes 280 presents with remarkably low mileage for its age, having covered only 92,740 miles over four decades. The MOT history shows two consecutive passes in 2022 and 2025 with no recorded defects or failures. While the recent records are clean, the significant time elapsed between tests suggests the vehicle may not have been in regular use.
No aggregate reliability data is available for this specific Mercedes 280 model to provide a statistical comparison.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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