1997 · 27 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

289 MOT tests in 2024. 65.0% passed first time, compared with 65.5% for all cars the same age.

99About average
Passed first time65.0%
Failed or needed repairs35.0%
Typical mileage at test100,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 289 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.5%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.2%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.8%
  4. Stop lamp: not working3.5%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.1%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.8%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.1%
    21 marked dangerous
  8. Washers: not working2.1%
  9. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics27.7%
  2. Suspension15.2%
  3. Brakes11.8%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.3%
  5. Body & chassis8.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.9%
  7. Tyres4.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.3%
  2. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened10.0%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened9.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.0%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine9.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

In 2024, 65.0% of 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 289 tests. The average for all 27-year-old cars was 65.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 99, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).