1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel than on all cars registered in 1998.

• Side repeaters6.5× usual
  Mercedes-Benz E-Class

  7.1% All 1998 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.8% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Sub-frame3.3× usual
  Mercedes-Benz E-Class

  8.8% All 1998 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Headlights2.3× usual
  Mercedes-Benz E-Class

  10.7% All 1998 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 2.6% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes3× usual
  Mercedes-Benz E-Class

  6.5% All 1998 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.5% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Common 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  37% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  34% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  34% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  27% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  14% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  13% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 6.5× as often on the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?