1993 · 31 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1993 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

177 MOT tests in 2024. 71.8% passed first time, compared with 67.5% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time71.8%
Failed or needed repairs28.2%
Typical mileage at test124,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 177 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.5%
  2. Position lamp: not working4.0%
  3. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.4%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.8%
  5. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.3%
  6. Requirements: missing2.3%
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.3%
  8. Rear fog lamp: not working1.7%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.7%
    6 marked dangerous
  10. Emissions not tested: unable to be completed1.7%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics24.3%
  2. Brakes13.6%
  3. Emissions & leaks11.9%
  4. Body & chassis9.6%
  5. Suspension6.8%
  6. Seat belts & airbags5.6%
  7. Steering5.1%
  8. Tyres4.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened18.6%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.1%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.3%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All E-Class years1994 E-Class →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1993 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

In 2024, 71.8% of 1993 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 177 tests. The average for all 31-year-old cars was 67.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1993 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; position lamp: not working; catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1993 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).