Used car buying guide: Mercedes-Benz 190

With the 1989 facelift, the 190 gained more rear leg room and deeper bumpers. Being a 1980s Mercedes, the model came with few creature comforts. Instead, its appeal lay in its quality and exclusivity. (Remember, this was before easy- payment PCPs had been invented.) Still, if you had deep pockets, there were options such as power windows and mirrors, a sunroof, air conditioning, armrests, special wood trim and MB-Tex upholstery. Happily, many surviving cars have all or some of these. Happier still is that there are many 190s to choose from, so there’s no reason to buy a dud.

An expert’s view

Mark Taylor, Founder, MTSV

“I first became aware of the 190 in the late 1980s. I had to move the company cars around where I worked and one day moved a 1.8. As I looked around the cabin, I couldn’t understand why anyone would pay a fortune for a car with windy windows and plastic seats (I didn’t realise they were covered with MB-Tex, a hard-wearing leather substitute) when you could have a better-equipped Sierra for much less. And then I drove it. I was hooked by its sheer quality. Years later, I started my business dealing in classic Mercedes, including the 190. There’s still a very strong demand for the right cars and I reckon prices have risen 30% in the past 12 months.”

Buyer beware...

Engine

Pre-19882.0-litre engines have a single-link, simplex chain that should be replaced every 70,000 miles (around £700). Post-1988 cars went to a stronger, double-link, duplex chain. All engines can suffer head gasket failure, often caused by incorrect coolant. On carburettor models, beware flat spots in the performance. On injector cars, the injection system is electromechanical and needs old-timer workshop skills to service.

Transmission

The four-speed auto is tough and requires fresh fluid and filters every four years. The five-speed manual is also strong, but to operate at its best it requires automatic transmission fluid rather than gearbox oil.

Suspension

Front lower ball joints wear and springs break, but bushes and most components are hard-wearing.

Body

Check for corrosion on the inner wings, especially under the water bottle and on the battery tray. Look for acid leaking from this onto the bulkhead and into the cabin. The deeper rear bumpers on post-1988 facelifted cars trap dirt, causing the boot floor to rust. Rust can also lurk below the jacking point covers.

Interior

The doors cards lift and break at the top. Replacements are expensive. MB- Tex is the toughest seat trim, followed by the standard cloth. The rare velour trim tends to go threadbare.

Also worth knowing

A 190 can take a high mileage in its stride, which is why, back in the day, it was a target of clockers. Today, the presence of so many examples with sky-high mileages suggests it’s not the problem it was. Even so, you can confirm the current mileage with old MOTs (www.check-mot.service.gov.uk), although records go back only to 2005.

How much to spend

£1000-£2499 Choice of generally tired, high-mileage 1.8 and 2.0-litre 190 carburettor cars.