1996 · 28 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

490 MOT tests in 2024. 67.8% passed first time, compared with 66.2% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time67.8%
Failed or needed repairs32.2%
Typical mileage at test118,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 490 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.5%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.9%
  3. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.4%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
  5. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.0%
  6. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced1.6%
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.6%
  8. Stop lamp: not working1.6%
  9. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour1.4%
  10. Position lamp: not working1.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics24.5%
  2. Emissions & leaks12.7%
  3. Brakes11.4%
  4. Suspension9.8%
  5. Body & chassis8.4%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.7%
  7. Seat belts & airbags2.7%
  8. Tyres2.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded17.6%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.4%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm7.1%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened6.9%

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: catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 1995 E-ClassAll E-Class years1997 E-Class →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

In 2024, 67.8% of 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 490 tests. The average for all 28-year-old cars was 66.2%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The most common failure reasons were catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).