Mercedes-Benz E-Class: brakes MOT failures
Brakes was a recorded failure area in 4.7% of Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT tests in this dataset. It is most prominent on 2003, 2004 cars.
Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair cost: £100–£350 per axle (rough UK ballpark, not a quote).
Brakes failures by year
| Model year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 4,818 | 6.4% |
| 2000 | 4,305 | 6.3% |
| 2001 | 5,760 | 6.2% |
| 2002 | 7,949 | 7.1% |
| 2003 | 23,401 | 8.5% |
| 2004 | 31,399 | 8.7% |
| 2005 | 30,698 | 8.0% |
| 2006 | 26,420 | 7.5% |
| 2008 | 29,628 | 7.2% |
| 2014 | 122,758 | 5.3% |
Methodology & source. 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.