1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,832 MOT tests, the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class recorded a 77.0% pass rate. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (23.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.7% of tests against 10.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, stop lamp and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 215 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 26.6% once past 150k — 2.0× the risk.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 22.9% of the time against 23.4% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.3% in 2021 to 20.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 602 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.1% | 386 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.4% | 244 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.2% | 236 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.3% | 201 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 200 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 215 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 204 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 188 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 180 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 162 |
| 6 | Washers | 147 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.9% | 1,336 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.3% | 1,315 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.3% | 891 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.9% | 649 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 572 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.7% | 487 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 53 | 13.2% |
| 30-60k | 354 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 757 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,096 | 23.4% |
| 120-150k | 736 | 23.5% |
| 150k+ | 827 | 26.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,753 | 22.9% |
| Diesel | 1,079 | 23.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,150 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 954 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 729 | 23.6% |
| 2024 | 553 | 20.6% |
| 2025 | 446 | 20.2% |
What to check before buying a 1999 E-Class
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (6.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs pass their MOT?
77.0% of the 3,832 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.7% of tests, followed by suspension (10.1%).
Does the 1999 E-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 0-30k band to 26.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,832 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.