Used car guide

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs, from 12,480 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,480MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,800typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.4× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    21% All 2011 cars
    6.1%
    Rough price £100–£400

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Wheel bearings3.1× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    5.5% All 2011 cars
    1.8%
    Rough price £100–£250

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

  • Link ball joint covers2.1× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    5.6% All 2011 cars
    2.7%
    Rough price £80–£200

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

  • Engine warning light1.5× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    2.9% All 2011 cars
    1.9%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 1.3% here, against 8.1% of all 2011 cars. Exhaust system: 1.1% here, against 6.4% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Tyres
    32% 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.

  • Suspension
    31% 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
    16% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% 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
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20206,560Tyres 23%
201918,768Tyres 25%
201820,762Tyres 26%
201721,802Tyres 26%
201619,952Tyres 28%
201520,740Tyres 31%
201419,480Brakes 33%
201317,906Brakes 38%
201213,731Brakes 39%
201010,492Brakes 38%
20096,066Brakes 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score