2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
37,791 MOT tests on the 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class are in this dataset, and 78.9% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 23.1% of the time, so this is 2.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (10.4%) and brakes (7.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, rigid brake pipes and tread depth — ball joint alone was recorded 3,233 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.9% in the 0-30k band and 22.7% in the 150k+ band, a 9.8-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.3pp more often than petrol ones (21.4% vs 18.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.4% in 2021 to 19.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.4% | 3,932 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.5% | 2,824 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 2,465 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.9% | 2,239 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 1,081 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 1,003 |
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 | 3,233 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,812 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,392 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,351 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 943 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 848 |
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 | 35.6% | 13,441 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.1% | 10,247 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.3% | 9,945 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.6% | 4,363 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 2,988 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 2,970 |
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 | 209 | 12.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,689 | 13.0% |
| 60-90k | 5,137 | 18.2% |
| 90-120k | 8,729 | 20.9% |
| 120-150k | 9,474 | 22.3% |
| 150k+ | 12,477 | 22.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 34,297 | 21.4% |
| Petrol | 3,482 | 18.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,135 | 21.4% |
| 2022 | 8,481 | 20.8% |
| 2023 | 7,806 | 22.0% |
| 2024 | 6,651 | 21.0% |
| 2025 | 5,718 | 19.9% |
What to check before buying a 2007 E-Class
On a 2007 E-Class, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (10.4% 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.
- 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 (6.5% 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 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 37,791 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Suspension, recorded in 10.4% of tests, followed by brakes (7.5%).
Does the 2007 E-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.9% in the 0-30k band to 22.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 37,791 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.