Makes › Mercedes-Benz › E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 1.9 million MOT tests of cars first registered 1994–2022.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
77.7%pass first time
+7.9 ptsvs typical car
Beats 87%of cars
1.9MMOT tests

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class passes its MOT first time on 77.7% of tests, 7.9 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (69.8%). That puts it ahead of 87% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2007 E-Class does best (beats 92% of cars) and the 2020 worst (beats 64%).

Of its engines, the 3.0 Diesel does best (beats 90%) and the 2.0 Petrol worst (beats 63%).

Better than average on suspension, brakes, lights & electrics.

Watch these weak spots

Tyre damage & cracking1.5×as often as a typical car
Brake pipes2.0×as often as a typical car
Wheel condition6.3×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192086%85%82%78%73%69%67%66%66%
Mercedes-Benz E-ClassTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1994
Beats 75%
1995
Beats 80%
1996
Beats 80%
1997
Beats 66%
1998
Beats 73%
1999
Beats 71%
2000
Beats 75%
2001
Beats 76%
2002
Beats 82%
2003
Beats 90%
2004
Beats 89%
2005
Beats 89%
2006
Beats 90%
2007
Beats 92%
2008
Beats 90%
2009
Beats 90%
2010
Beats 91%
2011
Beats 91%
2012
Beats 86%
2013
Beats 84%
2014
Beats 87%
2015
Beats 84%
2016
Beats 88%
2017
Beats 88%
2018
Beats 78%
2019
Beats 82%
2020
Beats 64%
2021
Beats 72%
2022
Beats 67%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2002–2017823,37776.2%Beats 85%A
2.0 Diesel2016–2022403,80985.6%Beats 88%A
3.0 Diesel1994–2018361,25574.7%Beats 90%A
3.2 Diesel2000–200759,75764.9%Beats 88%A
2.0 Petrol1995–202049,91282.2%Beats 63%B
1.8 Petrol2003–201333,84374.8%Beats 91%A
2.7 Diesel2002–200529,82964.6%Beats 88%A
2.1 Diesel hybrid2013–201523,65679.3%Beats 91%A
3.0 Petrol2006–201922,02080.5%Beats 64%B
2.0 Hybrid2017–202218,34388.0%Beats 93%A
2.0 Diesel hybrid2019–202216,54589.9%Beats 99%A
2.6 Petrol2000–200416,24765.3%Beats 84%A
3.5 Petrol2005–201614,69677.9%Beats 91%A
3.2 Petrol1994–200414,18168.6%Beats 88%A
2.9 Diesel2019–202111,84883.1%Beats 33%D
2.2 Petrol1994–19967,69968.7%Beats 77%B
5.5 Petrol2013–20157,10786.2%Beats 98%A
2.4 Petrol1998–20006,66062.6%Beats 68%B
3.5 Diesel2009–20105,56473.8%Beats 95%A
4.0 Petrol2017–20195,44588.8%Beats 87%A
5.4 Petrol2003–20042,80980.8%Beats 100%A
5.0 Petrol2003–20042,14372.6%Beats 98%A
3.0 Hybrid2019–20191,96283.2%Beats 21%D
2.3 Petrol1997–19971,13164.2%Beats 66%B
2.2 Diesel2001–20011,05860.9%Beats 79%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 6.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 4.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 8.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 5.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 4.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+7.8 ptsTyres: 8.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.4 ptsBrakes: 5.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.8 ptsSuspension: 6.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+2.9 ptsExhaust: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.9 ptsSuspension: 6.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 5.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 8.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 4.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 4.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+7.8 ptsTyres: 8.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.4 ptsBrakes: 5.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.8 ptsSuspension: 6.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+2.9 ptsExhaust: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.9 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 8.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Tyres
8.4% vs 6.9%
Suspension
6.4% vs 9.3%
Brakes
5.6% vs 7.4%
Lights & electrics
4.7% vs 12.5%
Emissions & leaks
2.4% vs 3.3%
Visibility
1.8% vs 5.0%
Wheels
1.0% vs 0.4%
Body & structure
0.9% vs 3.5%
Steering
0.7% vs 2.0%
Seat belts & airbags
0.7% vs 1.1%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking 1.5× typical
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Suspension ball joints
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Coil springs
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k94%87%84%80%76%73%71%70%
Mercedes-Benz E-ClassTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking5.3%3.6%1.5×
Tyre tread depth2.9%2.9%1.0×
Suspension ball joints2.2%1.6%1.4×
Coil springs1.8%2.4%0.7×
Headlight aim1.7%3.5%0.5×
Brake pipes1.6%0.8%2.0×
Brake pads1.3%2.3%0.6×
Handbrake performance1.3%1.5%0.8×
Engine warning light1.1%1.2%0.9×
Headlight bulbs & units0.9%2.3%0.4×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A tyre seriously damaged29.9
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements28.7
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn27.4
A tyre cords visible or damaged23.0
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened17.5
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements17.3
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction16.3
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded14.8
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class3 engines87.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel hybrid2,41387.2%Beats 79%B
2.0 Hybrid1,93888.8%Beats 64%B
2.0 Diesel1,36985.5%Beats 46%C
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class4 engines87.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel9,99086.9%Beats 66%B
2.0 Diesel hybrid3,35690.7%Beats 99%A
2.0 Hybrid2,53885.9%Beats 46%C
2.9 Diesel1,12381.2%Beats 5%E
2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class5 engines85.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel23,98785.2%Beats 59%C
2.0 Diesel hybrid5,42390.2%Beats 99%A
2.9 Diesel3,91883.3%Beats 24%D
2.0 Petrol3,25486.1%Beats 38%D
2.0 Hybrid2,33385.2%Beats 56%C
2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class8 engines86.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel66,59687.1%Beats 90%A
2.0 Petrol12,94384.7%Beats 43%C
2.9 Diesel6,80783.4%Beats 45%C
2.0 Diesel hybrid5,35390.3%Beats 99%A
3.0 Petrol4,92683.4%Beats 22%D
2.0 Hybrid3,03888.5%Beats 92%A
3.0 Hybrid1,96283.2%Beats 21%D
4.0 Petrol1,80487.9%Beats 70%B
2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class6 engines85.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel96,43885.2%Beats 82%A
2.0 Petrol12,63684.7%Beats 52%C
3.0 Diesel6,33182.1%Beats 40%C
3.0 Petrol5,41382.9%Beats 29%D
2.0 Hybrid3,33289.6%Beats 99%A
4.0 Petrol1,93288.6%Beats 85%A
2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class7 engines85.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel128,48984.9%Beats 89%A
3.0 Diesel10,33485.2%Beats 79%B
2.0 Hybrid5,16488.5%Beats 99%A
3.0 Petrol5,03483.3%Beats 58%C
2.0 Petrol2,82684.7%Beats 61%B
2.1 Diesel2,75280.7%Beats 38%D
4.0 Petrol1,70990.0%Beats 96%A
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class5 engines83.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel76,94086.0%Beats 96%A
2.1 Diesel63,31681.7%Beats 76%B
3.0 Diesel21,09683.2%Beats 77%B
2.0 Petrol3,11883.7%Beats 67%B
3.5 Petrol1,50781.6%Beats 52%C
2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class6 engines81.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel156,39981.5%Beats 84%A
3.0 Diesel23,94582.6%Beats 85%A
2.1 Diesel hybrid5,83480.3%Beats 86%A
2.0 Petrol4,39785.6%Beats 83%A
3.5 Petrol2,68580.4%Beats 55%C
5.5 Petrol2,57087.5%Beats 97%A
2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class6 engines79.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel143,00779.5%Beats 86%A
3.0 Diesel24,36880.8%Beats 88%A
2.1 Diesel hybrid9,91680.1%Beats 94%A
2.0 Petrol3,68383.1%Beats 85%A
5.5 Petrol2,81885.6%Beats 98%A
3.0 Petrol2,69679.6%Beats 71%B
2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class6 engines76.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel134,84676.0%Beats 83%A
3.0 Diesel23,57078.2%Beats 88%A
2.1 Diesel hybrid7,90677.5%Beats 91%A
1.8 Petrol3,48779.7%Beats 85%A
2.0 Petrol1,89883.9%Beats 96%A
5.5 Petrol1,71985.2%Beats 99%A
2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class4 engines74.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel97,82073.9%Beats 84%A
3.0 Diesel29,61276.9%Beats 92%A
1.8 Petrol5,02079.3%Beats 91%A
3.5 Petrol1,20681.3%Beats 95%A
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class4 engines74.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel76,77773.4%Beats 89%A
3.0 Diesel41,26975.4%Beats 93%A
1.8 Petrol6,34078.4%Beats 94%A
3.5 Petrol1,24377.1%Beats 87%A
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class5 engines72.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel52,61373.0%Beats 92%A
2.1 Diesel43,43770.9%Beats 88%A
1.8 Petrol6,91076.3%Beats 94%A
3.5 Petrol3,39578.5%Beats 97%A
3.5 Diesel2,64474.4%Beats 95%A
2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class5 engines70.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel33,48770.6%Beats 91%A
2.1 Diesel26,27069.6%Beats 88%A
3.5 Diesel2,92073.3%Beats 95%A
3.5 Petrol2,02277.9%Beats 97%A
1.8 Petrol1,25774.2%Beats 91%A
2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class3 engines69.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel21,74468.0%Beats 88%A
3.0 Diesel19,68769.8%Beats 92%A
1.8 Petrol1,20672.9%Beats 94%A
2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class5 engines68.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel31,17068.8%Beats 92%A
2.1 Diesel21,01668.2%Beats 91%A
3.0 Petrol1,66872.2%Beats 94%A
1.8 Petrol1,61370.8%Beats 92%A
3.2 Diesel1,31570.7%Beats 95%A
2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class6 engines67.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel24,01867.4%Beats 91%A
2.1 Diesel10,47466.0%Beats 88%A
3.0 Petrol2,28369.2%Beats 91%A
1.8 Petrol1,59372.1%Beats 95%A
3.2 Diesel1,46166.1%Beats 88%A
3.5 Petrol1,04369.7%Beats 92%A
2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class6 engines65.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel14,38366.3%Beats 90%A
2.1 Diesel11,62964.5%Beats 86%A
3.2 Diesel10,99666.0%Beats 90%A
2.7 Diesel5,96565.1%Beats 87%A
1.8 Petrol2,70566.5%Beats 86%A
3.5 Petrol1,59572.0%Beats 96%A
2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class8 engines65.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Diesel21,87464.6%Beats 88%A
2.7 Diesel12,85864.5%Beats 88%A
2.1 Diesel6,54062.8%Beats 84%A
2.6 Petrol3,96467.4%Beats 89%A
3.2 Petrol3,26968.2%Beats 92%A
1.8 Petrol2,21164.0%Beats 80%A
5.4 Petrol1,62481.0%Beats 100%A
5.0 Petrol1,03472.6%Beats 98%A
2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class8 engines65.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Diesel15,78765.1%Beats 90%A
2.7 Diesel9,05264.5%Beats 89%A
2.1 Diesel4,85362.1%Beats 83%A
2.6 Petrol4,02667.6%Beats 90%A
3.2 Petrol3,90966.6%Beats 90%A
1.8 Petrol1,50165.9%Beats 86%A
5.4 Petrol1,18580.6%Beats 100%A
5.0 Petrol1,10972.5%Beats 97%A
2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class6 engines62.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.6 Petrol3,57164.7%Beats 83%A
3.2 Diesel3,07160.8%Beats 80%B
2.1 Diesel2,49760.4%Beats 79%B
2.7 Diesel1,95463.9%Beats 88%A
3.2 Petrol1,56466.9%Beats 90%A
2.0 Petrol1,15858.7%Beats 65%B
2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class4 engines61.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Diesel3,29361.9%Beats 80%A
2.6 Petrol3,12961.8%Beats 72%B
2.0 Petrol1,91760.0%Beats 69%B
2.2 Diesel1,05860.9%Beats 79%B
2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class4 engines62.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Diesel1,96065.5%Beats 88%A
2.4 Petrol1,78762.2%Beats 70%B
2.6 Petrol1,55762.8%Beats 75%B
2.0 Petrol1,05957.2%Beats 57%C
1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class2 engines62.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol2,53662.6%Beats 71%B
3.0 Diesel1,79761.3%Beats 71%B
1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class2 engines64.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel2,55565.3%Beats 81%A
2.4 Petrol2,33762.9%Beats 65%B
1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class1 engine64.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Petrol1,13164.2%Beats 66%B
1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class2 engines69.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Petrol1,74568.0%Beats 77%B
3.2 Petrol1,71170.3%Beats 83%A
1995 Mercedes-Benz E-Class3 engines69.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Petrol3,26069.4%Beats 80%A
3.2 Petrol1,89370.6%Beats 83%A
2.0 Petrol1,02367.3%Beats 74%B
1994 Mercedes-Benz E-Class3 engines68.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Petrol2,69468.2%Beats 71%B
3.2 Petrol1,83571.4%Beats 83%A
3.0 Diesel1,02064.7%Beats 66%B

FAQ

What is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate?

77.7% of MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class were passed first time, based on 1,940,896 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1994–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 69.8% of the time.

Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 87% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2007 E-Class does best for its age and mileage: it beats 92% of cars on UK roads. The 2020 does worst: it beats 64%.

Which Mercedes-Benz E-Class engine is best?

Across all years, the 3.0 Diesel does best: it beats 90% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 63%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, suspension ball joints. Compared with similar cars, tyre damage & cracking comes up 1.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.