Used car guide

2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs, from 805 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

805MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
4,900typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Wheel bearings2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    8% All 2002 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Better than most

Braking performance: 3.6% here, against 7.4% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    36% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    30% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20222,836Tyres 22%
20216,400Tyres 22%
202010,448Tyres 24%
201920,915Tyres 24%
201820,781Tyres 26%
201721,829Tyres 26%
201619,961Tyres 28%
201520,754Tyres 31%
201419,486Brakes 33%
201317,910Brakes 38%
201213,734Brakes 39%
201112,484Brakes 38%
201010,496Brakes 38%
20096,067Brakes 39%
20083,840Brakes 40%
20074,720Brakes 39%
20063,060Brakes 40%
20053,390Suspension 42%
20043,368Suspension 42%
20032,458Suspension 43%
2001590Suspension 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score