MOT performance
Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 (2016–2023): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 179,556 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered Jun 2016–Jul 2023, on average 4.8 years old at test), 85.2% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the W213 failed 21% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation before it, the W212, it fails about as often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.79× vs 0.78×).
179,556 MOT tests on 84,996 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 85.2% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 179,556 |
| All Mercedes-Benz E-Classs | 77.5% | n = 488,758 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.79× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; Mercedes-Benz E-Class overall 0.78× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 8.1% | n = 179,556 |
| Average age at test | 4.8 years | n = 179,556 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2016–2023 | Apr 2016 to Sept 2023 |
W213 against the other Mercedes-Benz E-Class generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W212 (2009–2016) | 213,359 | 10.3 yrs | 74.1% | -22% | 9.9% |
| W213 (2016–2023) | 179,556 | 4.8 yrs | 85.2% | -21% | 8.1% |
Where the W213 differs
- Road wheels: the W213 failed 119% more often than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (6.10× vs 2.78×).
- Brakes: the W213 failed 53% less often than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.36× vs 0.77×).
- Steering: the W213 failed 51% less often than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.14× vs 0.28×).
- Seat belts and airbags: the W213 failed 46% less often than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.31× vs 0.58×).
| Area | W212 (vs similar) | W213 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 9.0% (+21%) | 8.3% (+45%) |
| Suspension | 9.2% (-21%) | 2.1% (-32%) |
| Road wheels | 0.9% (+70%) | 1.8% (+510%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.1% (-3%) | 1.4% (-21%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 4.6% (-64%) | 1.3% (-75%) |
| Brakes | 7.9% (Same) | 1.3% (-64%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 1.5% (-67%) | 1.2% (-66%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% (+13%) | 0.4% (+41%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.8% (-80%) | 0.2% (-78%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.8% (-20%) | 0.1% (-69%) |
| Steering | 0.2% (-91%) | 0.1% (-86%) |
Most common Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 failure items
1 of these 5 items is not among the Mercedes-Benz E-Class's ten most common failures overall.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.37% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 2.34% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.80% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 1.54% |
| Condition: fractured | Road wheels | 1.46% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | W212 pass rate (tests) | W213 pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | — | 86.4% (63,955) |
| 5-6 | — | 84.7% (81,778) |
| 7-8 | 79.2% (44,663) | 83.5% (22,267) |
| 9-10 | 75.1% (77,282) | — |
| 11-12 | 71.3% (59,286) | — |
| 13-15 | 69.5% (32,128) | — |
Registration years in the W213
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the W213 (Apr 2016 to Sept 2023). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.