Mercedes-Benz E350d — MOT pass rate & failures
The Mercedes-Benz E350d passed 88.3% of its 2,672 MOT tests, covering model years 2008–2021. That is 4.7 percentage points better than the 16.4% fail rate across all Mercedes-Benz E-Class versions, so the E350d is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, suspension and road wheels.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, ball joint and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 47 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 15.2% versus 10.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 84 | 90.5% | 9.5% |
| 2010 | 170 | 81.8% | 18.2% |
| 2011 | 66 | 84.9% | 15.2% |
| 2012 | 52 | 86.5% | 13.5% |
| 2019 | 650 | 88.8% | 11.2% |
| 2020 | 1,479 | 89.0% | 11.0% |
| 2021 | 86 | 91.9% | 8.1% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.4% | 197 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.9% | 52 |
| 3 | Road wheels | 1.8% | 49 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 43 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.0% | 27 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.7% | 19 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 15 |
| 8 | Other defects | 0.3% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 47 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 44 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 41 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 16 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 15 |
| 6 | Wipers | 15 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 18.4% | 491 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.2% | 245 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.2% | 219 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.6% | 96 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 82 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.7% | 46 |
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 | 932 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,084 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 321 | 12.2% |
| 90-120k | 209 | 17.7% |
| 120-150k | 92 | 13.0% |
| 150k+ | 33 | 15.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85 | 12.9% |
| 2022 | 285 | 11.2% |
| 2023 | 753 | 10.9% |
| 2024 | 785 | 12.9% |
| 2025 | 764 | 11.5% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz E350d
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (7.4% 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.
- Suspension (1.9% 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.
- Road wheels (1.8% of tests): Damaged or corroded wheels, missing/loose fixings — generally a moderate fix. Typical repair: £80–£250.
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 reliable is the Mercedes-Benz E350d at MOT time?
88.3% of the 2,672 Mercedes-Benz E350d MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.8% fail rate, better than the 16.4% average across all E-Class versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Mercedes-Benz E350d?
Tyres, recorded in 7.4% of tests, followed by suspension (1.9%).
Does the E350d get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 15.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,672 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.