1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

451 MOT tests in 2024. 69.0% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time69.0%
Failed or needed repairs31.0%
Typical mileage at test109,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 451 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working3.3%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.9%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.9%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  5. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.2%
  6. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.0%
  7. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced2.0%
  8. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced1.8%
  9. Position lamp: not working1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics23.5%
  2. Suspension13.1%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.1%
  4. Brakes8.2%
  5. Body & chassis7.8%
  6. Tyres6.0%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.9%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded19.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.1%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.5%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened7.8%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened7.8%

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.

← 1998 E-ClassAll E-Class years2000 E-Class →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

In 2024, 69.0% of 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 451 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The most common failure reasons were stop lamp: not working; coil spring: fractured or broken; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).