Used car guide

2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs, from 2,458 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,458MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,900typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Ball joint2.5× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    15.7% All 2003 cars
    6.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Ball joint dust cover2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    9.8% All 2003 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.8% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Wheel bearings1.9× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    7.4% All 2003 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 1.3% of all 2003 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.

  • Side repeaters2.3× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    3.9% All 2003 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Diesel smoke emissions3.1× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    2.2% All 2003 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 8% here, against 16.2% of all 2003 cars. Sub-frame: 0.9% here, against 5.6% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 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
    43% 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.

  • Brakes
    38% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

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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%
2002805Suspension 44%
2001590Suspension 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score