2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 30,698 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 77.0% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.6% in the 150k+ group versus 15.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.7% | 3,597 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 3,124 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.0% | 2,444 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.2% | 1,888 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 1,150 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 918 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 2,832 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,842 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,456 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,258 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,222 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 913 |
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 | 37.8% | 11,589 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.0% | 8,897 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 8,698 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 4,335 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.5% | 3,539 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.1% | 2,806 |
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 | 260 | 15.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,281 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 3,703 | 20.6% |
| 90-120k | 6,735 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 7,522 | 24.3% |
| 150k+ | 11,086 | 24.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 25,825 | 23.5% |
| Petrol | 4,871 | 20.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,135 | 23.0% |
| 2022 | 7,176 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 6,175 | 23.3% |
| 2024 | 5,028 | 23.0% |
| 2025 | 4,184 | 23.0% |
What to check before buying a 2005 E-Class
Before buying a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 11.7% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (11.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.0% 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs pass their MOT?
77.0% of the 30,698 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Suspension, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.2%).
Does the 2005 E-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 0-30k band to 24.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 30,698 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.