Part of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212 (2009–2016) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class first registered in 2014: we looked at the 19,486 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

19,486MOTs of 2014 cars, done in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
8,500typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.5× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    12.7% All 2014 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.5% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Wheel bearings5.1× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    5.6% All 2014 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.4% of all 2014 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.

  • Link ball joint covers3.9× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    5.5% All 2014 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.8% of all 2014 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.

  • Wheels1.6× usual
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    2.1% All 2014 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.4% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

Better than most

Number plate lights: 0.9% here, against 5.2% of all 2014 cars. Track rod ends: 0.4% here, against 4.5% of all 2014 cars.

Common 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 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
    33% 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
    33% 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
    22% 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
    13% 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
    7% 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.

Known faults on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the timing chain ever been replaced?
  2. Has the water pump been replaced?
  3. Has the gearbox oil been changed?
  4. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023207Tyres 11%
20222,836Tyres 22%
20216,400Tyres 22%
202010,448Tyres 24%
201920,915Tyres 24%
201820,781Tyres 26%
201721,829Tyres 26%
201619,961Tyres 28%
201520,754Tyres 31%
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%
2002805Suspension 44%
2001590Suspension 37%
2000434Suspension 36%
1999396Suspension 40%
1998440Lights and electrics 35%
1997264Suspension 36%
1996457Brakes 30%
1995679Suspension 28%
1994586Brakes 27%
1993175Suspension 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars first registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score