Car statistics
How many Mercedes-Benz 190s are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 2,521 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 2,079 Mercedes-Benz 190s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 5,050 declared off the road (SORN). That is 96.9% fewer than the 67,270 licensed in 1994, when this data begins.
The count was highest in 1994, when this data begins.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 67,270 |
| 1995 | 64,414 |
| 1996 | 64,160 |
| 1997 | 63,168 |
| 1998 | 61,835 |
| 1999 | 60,915 |
| 2000 | 58,674 |
| 2001 | 56,617 |
| 2002 | 52,916 |
| 2003 | 48,349 |
| 2004 | 43,604 |
| 2005 | 37,662 |
| 2006 | 30,796 |
| 2007 | 25,246 |
| 2008 | 19,721 |
| 2009 | 15,396 |
| 2010 | 12,255 |
| 2011 | 9,723 |
| 2012 | 7,918 |
| 2013 | 6,562 |
| 2014 | 5,631 |
| 2015 | 5,073 |
| 2016 | 4,522 |
| 2017 | 4,089 |
| 2018 | 3,745 |
| 2019 | 3,392 |
| 2020 | 3,051 |
| 2021 | 2,860 |
| 2022 | 2,647 |
| 2023 | 2,382 |
| 2024 | 2,160 |
| 2025 | 2,079 |
| 2026 | 2,079 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
2 versions of the Mercedes-Benz 190 have their own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.
| Version | Licensed | SORN |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 | 34 | 279 |
| Mercedes-Benz 190 E 16 | 18 | 177 |
In 2025, 72.2% of Mercedes-Benz 190 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Mercedes-Benz 190s tested pass 61.0% of the time, so the Mercedes-Benz 190 does better than average for its age, by 11.2 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 72.6%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Mercedes-Benz 190 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 20+ years | 72.4% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Mercedes-Benz 190 fails its MOT, appearing on 44.4% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 6.0% of Mercedes-Benz 190 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 44.4% |
| Suspension | 33.0% |
| Brakes | 29.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 26.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 18.1% |
| Visibility | 13.0% |
| Tyres | 10.7% |
| Steering | 10.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Mercedes-Benz 190 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength”, on 11.0% of 700 failed tests. 52.4% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension | 11.0% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.1% |
| Non catalyst emissions carbon monoxide content excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.3% |
| Side repeaters: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.0% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.3% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Suspension | 7.0% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 6.7% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 6.4% |
| Service brake performance: excessively binding Brakes | 6.3% |
| Exhaust system: major leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 5.9% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 17.1% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.4% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 8.6% |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 7.8% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 7.3% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 6.5% |
| Fuel pipes corroded Non-component advisories | 5.0% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 4.8% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 4.1% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 4.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The 1992 Mercedes-Benz 190 has its own page, with its MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left.
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | – | 1,305 | 71.1% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Mercedes-Benz 190 covers 2,014 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 20+ years | 1,994 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Mercedes-Benz 190s for the first time in Great Britain were highest at 182 in 2001, when this data begins. In 2025, 16 were registered.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 182 |
| ’02 | 131 |
| ’03 | 84 |
| ’04 | 57 |
| ’05 | 42 |
| ’06 | 26 |
| ’07 | 19 |
| ’08 | 16 |
| ’09 | 10 |
| ’10 | 8 |
| ’11 | 13 |
| ’12 | 11 |
| ’13 | 8 |
| ’14 | 2 |
| ’15 | 17 |
| ’16 | 35 |
| ’17 | 29 |
| ’18 | 23 |
| ’19 | 25 |
| ’20 | 16 |
| ’21 | 18 |
| ’22 | 17 |
| ’23 | 12 |
| ’24 | 10 |
| ’25 | 16 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 2,118 Mercedes-Benz 190s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 51.8% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc, and 19.0% have an engine of 1,701cc to 1,800cc. The share with an engine of 1,801cc to 1,900cc has grown from 2.8% in 2014 to 9.5%. Petrols made up 85.9% of those licensed in 2014 and 90.2% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 1,098 licensed | 51.8% |
| 1,701cc to 1,800cc 402 licensed | 19.0% |
| 1,801cc to 1,900cc 202 licensed | 9.5% |
| 2,501cc to 2,600cc 199 licensed | 9.4% |
| 2,401cc to 2,500cc 165 licensed | 7.8% |
| Other sizes 52 licensed | 2.5% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 1,032 | 48.7% |
| 1,701–1,800cc | Petrol | 399 | 18.8% |
| 1,801–1,900cc | Petrol | 195 | 9.2% |
| 2,501–2,600cc | Petrol | 190 | 9.0% |
| 2,401–2,500cc | Diesel | 121 | 5.7% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Diesel | 66 | 3.1% |
| 2,401–2,500cc | Petrol | 44 | 2.1% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,901–2,000cc | 1,701–1,800cc | 1,801–1,900cc | 2,501–2,600cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 55.6% | 20.1% | 2.8% | 8.4% |
| 2015 | 55.5% | 19.8% | 3.1% | 8.4% |
| 2016 | 54.8% | 19.7% | 3.5% | 8.4% |
| 2017 | 55.2% | 19.2% | 4.2% | 8.3% |
| 2018 | 55.0% | 18.9% | 4.8% | 8.5% |
| 2019 | 55.1% | 18.6% | 5.6% | 8.4% |
| 2020 | 54.8% | 18.8% | 6.5% | 8.4% |
| 2021 | 53.5% | 19.2% | 7.0% | 8.3% |
| 2022 | 53.3% | 18.9% | 7.7% | 8.6% |
| 2023 | 53.1% | 18.4% | 8.8% | 8.4% |
| 2024 | 52.4% | 19.0% | 9.5% | 8.4% |
| 2025 | 51.8% | 19.0% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 85.9% | 13.9% |
| 2015 | 86.0% | 13.8% |
| 2016 | 86.0% | 13.9% |
| 2017 | 86.4% | 13.5% |
| 2018 | 86.8% | 13.1% |
| 2019 | 87.4% | 12.5% |
| 2020 | 88.6% | 11.3% |
| 2021 | 88.4% | 11.5% |
| 2022 | 88.7% | 11.2% |
| 2023 | 89.2% | 10.8% |
| 2024 | 89.7% | 10.2% |
| 2025 | 90.2% | 9.7% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
DVSA lists 1 safety recall for the Mercedes-Benz 190, launched on 25 February 2016.
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Mercedes-Benz 190. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz 190 | 2,079 | −1.4% | 5,050 | 552 | Petrol |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 378,826 | +0.7% | 13,892 | 16 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 326,200 | −4.5% | 46,533 | 20 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 203,182 | −4.2% | 40,576 | 39 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class | 112,497 | +14.1% | 2,288 | 84 | Petrol |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 7,129 190 records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 2,521 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
