Used car guide · 2009–2016

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212 did at the MOTs done during 2023–2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 379,770 MOT tests.

2010best year: 70% pass first time, 10 points above all 2010 cars
2013weakest year: 72% pass first time, 5 points above all 2013 cars
Wheel bearingsthe weak spot that shows up in 6 different years

Which Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2009: 69% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%) 69% 2009*2010: 70% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 60%) 70% 20102011: 71% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 62%) 71% 20112012: 71% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%) 71% 20122013: 72% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 67%) 72% 20132014: 76% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 70%) 76% 20142015: 79% pass first time (all 2015 cars: 74%) 79% 20152016: 82% pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%) 82% 2016*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2009*69%59% +10Rigid brake pipes 3.1× usual20,325
201070%60% +10Rigid brake pipes 3.3× usual34,094
201171%62% +9Rigid brake pipes 3.6× usual40,106
201271%64% +7Rigid brake pipes 4.4× usual43,371
201372%67% +5Rigid brake pipes 4.5× usual55,931
201476%70% +6Rigid brake pipes 3.5× usual60,386
201579%74% +5Wheel bearings 6.9× usual63,946
2016*82%77% +5Wheel bearings 5.2× usual61,611

Common Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212 MOT failures, year after year

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Wheel bearingsup to 6.9× usual

    Stands out in 6 years: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Link ball joint coversup to 4.6× usual

    Stands out in 6 years: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipesup to 4.5× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Engine warning lightup to 2.1× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2015, 2012.

    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.

What usually goes wrong with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212?

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots, and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.