2020 · 4 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

10,498 MOT tests in 2024. 86.0% passed first time, compared with 86.9% for all cars the same age.

99About average
Passed first time86.0%
Failed or needed repairs14.0%
Typical mileage at test37,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 10,498 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Road Wheels - condition: fractured2.9%
    496 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.6%
    413 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.3%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.9%
    281 marked dangerous
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
    257 marked dangerous
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn0.7%
  7. Tyres - condition: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.5%
    72 marked dangerous
  8. Headlamp aim: too high0.4%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.4%
    62 marked dangerous
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres10.1%
  2. Wheels3.2%
  3. Lights & electrics1.3%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.0%
  5. Suspension0.9%
  6. Brakes0.8%
  7. Number plates & VIN0.3%
  8. Emissions & leaks0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.6%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.6%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.0%

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: road wheels - condition: fractured. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2019 E-ClassAll E-Class years2021 E-Class →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

In 2024, 86.0% of 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 10,498 tests. The average for all 4-year-old cars was 86.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The most common failure reasons were road wheels - condition: fractured; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2020 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).