Mercedes Benz E MOT Failures
An analysis of 1,436,878 real DVSA MOT tests on the Mercedes Benz E — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Mercedes Benz E fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Mercedes Benz E is parking brake inefficient — this model is 322 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 1,436,878 MOT tests, 0.19% of all Mercedes Benz E tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (83x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (2068x the fleet average), any fracture or welding defect on a wheel (60x the fleet average), and headlight fault (66x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Mercedes Benz E's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Brakes, Exhaust & Emissions, Bodywork, Wheels, Lights & Electrics and others. If you're inspecting a Mercedes Benz E before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Mercedes Benz E's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Mercedes Benz E specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are parking brake inefficient (322x the average) and emissions failure (83x). headlight fault (66x) and any fracture or welding defect on a wheel (60x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Mercedes Benz E specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (2068x the average) and emissions failure (60x). light unit fault (56x) and parking brake inefficient (46x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Mercedes Benz E specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (1044x the average) and free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (98x). parking brake inefficient (30x) and anti-roll bar links worn (21x) also appear frequently.
The shift from parking brake inefficient at lower mileages to seat mounting fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
What to check before buying a Mercedes Benz E
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Mercedes Benz E:
Brakes — check for parking brake inefficient, service brake control not releasing correctly. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Bodywork — check for seat mounting fault, transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated. Wheels — check for any fracture or welding defect on a wheel.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Mercedes Benz E?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Mercedes Benz E MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes Benz E?
Based on 1,436,878 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is parking brake inefficient — at 322x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and seat mounting fault.
Is the Mercedes Benz E reliable based on MOT data?
The Mercedes Benz E has 21 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is parking brake inefficient. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Mercedes Benz E most commonly fails on seat mounting fault and free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are parking brake inefficient and emissions failure.
How do I check a Mercedes Benz E's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.