2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 26,420 MOT tests, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class recorded a 77.8% pass rate. Against executive cars of a similar age (23.7% fail rate), the 2006 E-Class comes out 1.5pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 10.9% of tests against 7.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — ball joint alone was recorded 2,336 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.4% in the 0-30k band and 24.5% in the 150k+ band, a 8.1-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 18.0% fail against 22.9% for diesel, a 4.9-point gap across 26,419 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.9% | 2,886 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.5% | 1,990 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 1,923 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.1% | 1,623 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 1,008 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.8% | 727 |
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 | 2,336 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,195 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,033 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,025 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 682 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 666 |
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 | 36.5% | 9,632 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.0% | 7,409 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.8% | 7,088 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.8% | 3,125 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.4% | 2,759 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 2,356 |
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 | 195 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,158 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 3,659 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 6,067 | 21.2% |
| 120-150k | 6,622 | 23.3% |
| 150k+ | 8,654 | 24.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 22,573 | 22.9% |
| Petrol | 3,846 | 18.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,678 | 21.7% |
| 2022 | 6,113 | 22.3% |
| 2023 | 5,362 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 4,495 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 3,772 | 21.8% |
What to check before buying a 2006 E-Class
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 10.9% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (7.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 26,420 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Suspension, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by brakes (7.5%).
Does the 2006 E-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 24.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 26,420 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.