2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

2,927 MOT tests in 2024. 66.5% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

116Well above average
Passed first time66.5%
Failed or needed repairs33.5%
Typical mileage at test130,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,927 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.4%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.0%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.9%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
    134 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.3%
  7. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.9%
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
    83 marked dangerous
  9. Side repeaters: not working1.8%
  10. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension20.8%
  2. Lights & electrics17.7%
  3. Brakes13.5%
  4. Tyres7.6%
  5. Emissions & leaks5.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.4%
  7. Steering3.5%
  8. Body & chassis2.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded21.1%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.9%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn9.2%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.1%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.6%

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: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

In 2024, 66.5% of 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,927 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 116, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).