2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Ball joint2.2× usual
  Mercedes-Benz E-Class

  14.1% All 2005 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 3.2% of all 2005 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.

• Engine warning light2× usual
  Mercedes-Benz E-Class

  5.8% All 2005 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Side repeaters2.1× usual
  Mercedes-Benz E-Class

  3.6% All 2005 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.9% of all 2005 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.

Common 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 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.

• 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.

• Suspension
  30% 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.

• 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
  28% 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.

• 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  10% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 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 2.2× as often on the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?