Diesel Mercedes-Benz E: MOT pass rate

79.3% of diesel Mercedes-Benz Es pass the MOT first time, measured across 193,962 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 99,243.

Diesel against the other Mercedes-Benz E versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Mercedes-Benz E specifically, hybrid is the strongest at 88%, and this diesel version sits 0.5 points below the 79.8% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Mercedes-Benz E had covered 99,243 miles at test, against 74,025 for the petrol and 60,791 for the hybrid. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Mercedes-Benz E page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Mercedes-Benz E

1. Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, 0.9% of tests (15.7x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 2.5% of tests (2.38x the national rate for this defect)
3. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 0.7% of tests (1.99x the national rate for this defect)
4. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.9% of tests (1.7x the national rate for this defect)
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.9% of tests (1.4x the national rate for this defect)
6. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.7% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect)
7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 4.1% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.4% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this defect)
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4.3% of tests
10. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 2.4% of tests

From 195,247 DVSA-tracked diesel Mercedes-Benz E tests, 2024, split out from the Mercedes-Benz E's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 7.58% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Mercedes-Benz E

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 4.8% of tests (7.39x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 15.4% of tests (2.49x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 5.3% of tests (1.67x the national rate for this defect)
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 31.4% of tests (1.18x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 1.3% of tests (1.18x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 10.9% of tests, also fails
7. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 10% of tests
8. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 9.7% of tests
9. A tyre seriously damaged, 9.5% of tests, also fails
10. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 3.9% of tests

From 195,247 DVSA-tracked diesel Mercedes-Benz E tests, 2024.

Other Mercedes-Benz E fuel types

• Petrol Mercedes-Benz E - 81.2%
• Hybrid Mercedes-Benz E - 88%

All Mercedes-Benz E MOT data · Every model