Used car guide · 2009–2016

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How every year of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212 did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 120,847 MOT tests.

2010best year: 69% pass first time, 10 points above all 2010 cars
2013weakest year: 71% pass first time, 5 points above all 2013 cars
Wheel bearingsthe weak spot that shows up in 6 different years

Year by year

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2009: 70% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%) 70% 2009*2010: 69% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%) 69% 20102011: 70% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%) 70% 20112012: 69% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%) 69% 20122013: 71% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%) 71% 20132014: 75% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%) 75% 20142015: 78% pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%) 78% 20152016: 81% pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%) 81% 2016*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2009*70%58% +12Rigid brake pipes 3× usual6,066
201069%59% +10Rigid brake pipes 3.1× usual10,492
201170%61% +9Rigid brake pipes 3.4× usual12,480
201269%63% +6Rigid brake pipes 4.1× usual13,731
201371%66% +5Rigid brake pipes 4.2× usual17,906
201475%69% +6Rigid brake pipes 3.5× usual19,480
201578%72% +6Wheel bearings 6.6× usual20,740
2016*81%75% +6Wheel bearings 4.7× usual19,952

Weak spots across the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Wheel bearingsup to 6.6× usual

    Stands out in 6 years: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.

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

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

  • Link ball joint coversup to 4.4× usual

    Stands out in 6 years: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipesup to 4.2× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    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.

  • Engine warning lightup to 2.1× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2015, 2012.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Known faults

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Timing chains on diesels

    The diesel timing chains won't last forever. A rattle on start-up is the warning sign.

    Check: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle.

    Source: Parkers: used Mercedes E-Class 2009-2016 review

  • Water pump and coolant leaks

    The water pump is a common failure, and diesels can leak coolant around the EGR cooler.

    Check: Listen for whining from the engine, and look for dried coolant around it.

    If it needs doing: Water pump, about £115–£375. ClickMechanic

    Source: Parkers: used Mercedes E-Class 2009-2016 review

  • 7G-Tronic automatic

    The automatic gearbox needs looking after.

    Check: Check the changes are smooth with no odd noises, and look for gearbox servicing in the history.

    If it needs doing: Gearbox sensor or solenoid, about £200–£500. ClickMechanic

    Source: Parkers: used Mercedes E-Class 2009-2016 review

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

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