2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Ball joint5.2× usual
  Mercedes-Benz E-Class

  7.3% All 2017 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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 light2.5× usual
  Mercedes-Benz E-Class

  2.8% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.1% of all 2017 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.

Common 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 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.

• 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.

• Brakes
  15% 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
  10% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  1% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Power loss and fuel cut-out recalls (built to mid-2016)

  Built to 2016

  Cars built up to 31 May 2016 could lose power and coast to a halt (software fix), and cars built up to 31 August 2016 could have the rear seat damage the fuel pump wiring and stall.

  At the viewing: Ask a Mercedes dealer to confirm both recalls were done.

  Source: What Car?: used Mercedes E-Class (2016-2024) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel

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

1. Have the power-loss and fuel pump wiring recalls been done?
2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 5.2× as often on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2017 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?