Used car guide

2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs, from 3,368 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,368MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Ball joint2.5× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    16.8% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 3% of all 2004 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 cover1.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    8.8% All 2004 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.8% of all 2004 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 bearings1.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    7% All 2004 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 1.3% of all 2004 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 repeaters1.9× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    3.7% All 2004 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1% of all 2004 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.

  • Mirrors2.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    2.8% All 2004 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £30–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both door mirrors adjust and the glass isn't cracked.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 6.9% here, against 15.8% of all 2004 cars. Sub-frame: 0.7% here, against 6.2% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 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
    42% 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
    40% 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
    31% 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
    10% 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%
20032,458Suspension 43%
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 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score