2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,949 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 77.1% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.9% in the 150k+ group versus 13.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 1,084 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.9% | 868 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.1% | 564 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.3% | 424 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.2% | 413 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 300 |
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 | 421 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 372 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 322 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 317 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 305 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 286 |
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 | 35.4% | 2,812 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.8% | 2,766 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.6% | 2,036 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 1,261 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.9% | 1,106 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.6% | 1,000 |
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 | 94 | 13.8% |
| 30-60k | 609 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,523 | 19.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,788 | 22.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,827 | 24.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,053 | 25.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,212 | 21.5% |
| Diesel | 3,737 | 24.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,359 | 24.3% |
| 2022 | 1,914 | 23.2% |
| 2023 | 1,511 | 21.4% |
| 2024 | 1,210 | 22.0% |
| 2025 | 955 | 22.5% |
What to check before buying a 2002 E-Class
Before buying a 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.9% 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 (7.1% 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 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs pass their MOT?
77.1% of the 7,949 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by suspension (10.9%).
Does the 2002 E-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 0-30k band to 25.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,949 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.