1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

504 MOT tests in 2024. 72.0% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

111Well above average
Passed first time72.0%
Failed or needed repairs28.0%
Typical mileage at test112,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 504 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working5.2%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.2%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.2%
  4. Position lamp: not working2.0%
  5. Washers: not working2.0%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
    24 marked dangerous
  7. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.8%
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
    21 marked dangerous
  9. Rear fog lamp: not working1.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics23.0%
  2. Brakes9.5%
  3. Suspension8.7%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.3%
  5. Tyres6.7%
  6. Body & chassis5.0%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.4%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded17.9%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine15.7%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened11.3%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.7%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened8.5%

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: stop 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 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

In 2024, 72.0% of 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 504 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

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

Is the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 111, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).