Mercedes-Benz E-Class: what fails at MOT
397,000 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in 2024, counted. 19.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
19.3% of Mercedes-Benz E-Class tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.4%, so the E-Class does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (4.7% of tests), suspension (4% of tests) and brakes (3.1% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,233 | 11.6% | 10.9% | 29,200 19,600 to 43,700 |
| 2020 | 18,859 | 11.6% | 11.5% | 36,000 24,600 to 52,700 |
| 2019 | 35,755 | 11.3% | 13.4% | 45,400 31,800 to 67,400 |
| 2018 | 36,569 | 13.2% | 15.6% | 54,000 38,900 to 78,700 |
| 2017 | 38,785 | 13.8% | 18.2% | 68,800 50,100 to 97,800 |
| 2016 | 36,252 | 15.3% | 21.3% | 73,700 52,600 to 103,600 |
| 2015 | 36,672 | 18.7% | 24.4% | 79,700 57,800 to 111,500 |
| 2014 | 36,106 | 20.1% | 27.7% | 85,400 64,600 to 113,300 |
| 2013 | 33,122 | 23.6% | 30.6% | 92,400 70,500 to 120,200 |
| 2012 | 24,848 | 25.7% | 33.4% | 99,200 76,100 to 127,000 |
| 2011 | 23,549 | 25.4% | 36.1% | 102,500 77,900 to 130,400 |
| 2010 | 20,000 | 26.8% | 38.6% | 107,600 83,200 to 134,400 |
| 2009 | 11,098 | 28.4% | 39.8% | 115,400 89,100 to 143,600 |
| 2008 | 6,719 | 30.2% | 41.5% | 129,100 98,900 to 160,300 |
| 2007 | 8,296 | 28.3% | 41.5% | 132,400 101,700 to 164,300 |
| 2006 | 5,721 | 31.1% | 42.4% | 130,700 98,700 to 162,400 |
| 2005 | 6,524 | 31.7% | 42.2% | 133,400 103,400 to 167,500 |
| 2004 | 6,406 | 32.0% | 42.3% | 136,500 102,600 to 174,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Mercedes-Benz E-Class tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | E-Class | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 4.7% | 4.2% | |
| Suspension | 4.0% | 5.4% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 3.1% | 4.1% | |
| Lights and electrics | 2.2% | 6.7% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.5% | 1.9% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 0.9% | 2.8% | Less than most |
| Wheels | 0.7% | 0.3% | |
| Body and structure | 0.4% | 1.9% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.6%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Ball joint1.5%
- Engine warning light1.1%
- Coil spring1.1%
- Headlamp aim0.9%
- Brake pipes0.9%
- Brake test0.8%
- Brake pads0.7%
- Ball joint dust cover0.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.4%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.1%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded0.8%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements0.6%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.7%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material4.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.1%
- Ball joint: has slight play2.0%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.0%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Mercedes-Benz E-Class's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.