2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 29,628 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 78.5% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 23.2% in the 150k+ group versus 13.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.5% | 3,117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.2% | 2,120 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.0% | 1,781 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.9% | 1,759 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 993 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 811 |
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 | 2,448 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,441 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,125 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 938 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 807 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 779 |
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 | 34.6% | 10,260 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.7% | 7,899 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.1% | 7,423 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.9% | 3,814 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 2,267 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 1,928 |
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 | 199 | 13.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,607 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 4,430 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 7,268 | 21.7% |
| 120-150k | 7,219 | 22.7% |
| 150k+ | 8,855 | 23.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 27,652 | 21.7% |
| Petrol | 1,976 | 18.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,930 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 6,525 | 21.2% |
| 2023 | 6,049 | 21.7% |
| 2024 | 5,418 | 22.3% |
| 2025 | 4,706 | 20.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 E-Class
Before buying a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 10.5% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (10.5% 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 (7.2% 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 (6.0% 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs pass their MOT?
78.5% of the 29,628 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Suspension, recorded in 10.5% of tests, followed by brakes (7.2%).
Does the 2008 E-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 0-30k band to 23.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 29,628 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.