2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 45,643 MOT tests, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class recorded a 78.3% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 21.7%, so the 2009 E-Class sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 10.9% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, ball joint and coil spring — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 2,603 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 23.8% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 5.0pp more often than petrol ones (22.0% vs 17.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.9% | 4,980 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.7% | 3,495 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.2% | 2,840 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 2,539 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 1,343 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 1,229 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,603 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 2,381 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 2,211 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,828 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,183 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 1,018 |
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 | 34.4% | 15,725 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.2% | 11,958 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.7% | 10,365 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.7% | 3,956 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 3,772 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.2% | 2,361 |
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 | 546 | 11.5% |
| 30-60k | 3,385 | 15.3% |
| 60-90k | 8,897 | 19.4% |
| 90-120k | 12,985 | 22.4% |
| 120-150k | 10,433 | 23.3% |
| 150k+ | 9,365 | 23.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 42,419 | 22.0% |
| Petrol | 3,224 | 17.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,503 | 21.0% |
| 2022 | 9,980 | 21.5% |
| 2023 | 9,345 | 22.1% |
| 2024 | 8,388 | 22.5% |
| 2025 | 7,427 | 21.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 E-Class
On a 2009 E-Class, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (7.7% 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.
- Tyres (6.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 45,643 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Suspension, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by brakes (7.7%).
Does the 2009 E-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 0-30k band to 23.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 45,643 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.