Used car guide

2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Mercedes-Benz E-Class first registered in 2003 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 3,200 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,200MOTs of 2003 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
71%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 57%)
5,200typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for ball joint

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Ball joint2.3× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    14.5% All 2003 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Braking performance: 1.9% here, against 7.4% of all 2003 cars. Sidelights: 1.9% here, against 6.2% of all 2003 cars.

Common 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol 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
    29% 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
    26% 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
    13% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol

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

  1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023310Tyres 11%
20223,605Tyres 20%
202113,465Tyres 22%
202031,740Tyres 24%
201963,370Tyres 25%
201863,522Tyres 26%
201767,285Tyres 26%
201661,611Tyres 28%
201563,946Tyres 31%
201460,386Tyres 33%
201355,931Brakes 36%
201243,371Brakes 38%
201140,106Brakes 38%
201034,094Brakes 38%
200920,325Brakes 39%
200813,037Brakes 39%
200716,415Brakes 40%
200610,975Brakes 41%
200512,409Brakes 42%
200412,508Suspension 41%
20023,092Suspension 41%
20012,186Suspension 36%
20001,629Suspension 36%
19991,467Suspension 39%
19981,645Lights and electrics 34%
1997937Suspension 36%
19961,509Brakes 30%
19952,249Suspension 29%
19941,998Suspension 29%
1993541Suspension 32%
1992128Brakes 29%
1990114Suspension 28%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars first registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score