2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,305 MOT tests analysed for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility. Its pass rate of 77.8% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.6% in the 150k+ group versus 8.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 596 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.4% | 406 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.9% | 296 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.3% | 272 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.0% | 214 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 193 |
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 | 227 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 204 |
| 3 | Washers | 195 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 178 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 175 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 144 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.0% | 1,462 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.0% | 1,420 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.7% | 1,022 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.7% | 632 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 534 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.1% | 520 |
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 | 91 | 8.8% |
| 30-60k | 463 | 14.0% |
| 60-90k | 989 | 19.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,050 | 22.6% |
| 120-150k | 879 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 812 | 26.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,099 | 22.6% |
| Diesel | 1,206 | 21.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,360 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 1,044 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 786 | 20.5% |
| 2024 | 616 | 20.3% |
| 2025 | 499 | 19.4% |
What to check before buying a 2000 E-Class
Before buying a 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.4% 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.
- Visibility (6.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 4,305 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by suspension (9.4%).
Does the 2000 E-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.8% in the 0-30k band to 26.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,305 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.