Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.3 petrol (100 kW, 134 hp), 2.3 petrol (92 kW, 123 hp) and 2.3 petrol (97 kW, 130 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3 petrol | 100 kW 134 hp | 151 |
| 2.3 petrol | 92 kW 123 hp | 25 |
| 2.3 petrol | 97 kW 130 hp | 23 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
258 first registered in 1985 are on Dutch roads; 88% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen48
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld37
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde37
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm30
- Band onvoldoende profiel21
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar20
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm19
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij16
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 134 of these cars first registered in 1985 took their annual MOT test. 75% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1985 the figure was 72%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1985 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.2% | 15.6% |
| Suspension | 9.7% | 8.1% |
| Brakes | 9.0% | 9.2% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 8.2% | 7.2% |
| Visibility | 4.5% | 6.6% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.7% | 1.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
17 1985 cars are on the New Zealand register; 59% arrived as used imports, 24% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10019990 | FLOW NOISES FROM AREA OF POWER STEERING PUMP AND/OR FOAMING OF POWER STEERING OIL IN RESERVOIR. *TT |
| 10011693 | PARKTRONIC TRIGGERS WITHOUT OBVIOUS CAUSE AT FRONT BUMPER IN MERCEDES MODEL NUMBERS 171/211/230. *TC |
| 10011629 | WINDSHIELD WASHER NOZZLES HEATING INOPERATIVE. *TC |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation