Used car guide · 2016–2023

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 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 304,908 MOT tests.

2017best year: 84% pass first time, 4 points above all 2017 cars
2020weakest year: 86% pass first time, 1 points below all 2020 cars
Wheelsthe weak spot that shows up in 6 different years

Which Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

60%80%100%2016: 82% pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%) 82% 2016*2017: 84% pass first time (all 2017 cars: 80%) 84% 20172018: 85% pass first time (all 2018 cars: 83%) 85% 20182019: 86% pass first time (all 2019 cars: 85%) 86% 20192020: 86% pass first time (all 2020 cars: 87%) 86% 20202021: 88% pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%) 88% 20212022: 90% pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%) 90% 20222023: 96% pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%) 96% 2023
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
2016*82%77% +5Wheel bearings 5.2× usual61,611
201784%80% +4Ball joint 5.1× usual67,285
201885%83% +2Ball joint 6.2× usual63,522
201986%85% +1Ball joint 7.6× usual63,370
202086%87% -1Wheels 6.3× usual31,740
202188%87% +1Wheels 7× usual13,465
202290%89% +1Wheels 5.3× usual3,605
202396%92% +4Nothing unusual310

Common Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 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.

  • Wheelsup to 7× usual

    Stands out in 6 years: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

  • Ball jointup to 8.5× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017.

    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.

What usually goes wrong with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213?

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

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

    Check: Ask a Mercedes dealer to confirm both recalls were done.

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

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.