2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 68.2% of Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. Across 9,151 E-Class first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars first used in 2003 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, E-Class cars first used in 2003 against all cars first used in 2003 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the E-Class figure was 9.5 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2003 E-Class | All cars first used 2003 | E-Class first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 66.0% | 54.0% | 5,381 |
| 2022 | 66.1% | 55.7% | 4,579 |
| 2023 | 67.1% | 56.7% | 3,748 |
| 2024 | 66.6% | 57.2% | 2,970 |
| 2025 | 68.2% | 58.7% | 2,433 |
Common 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT failures
Share of the 3,000 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 18.3% | 549 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | 9.1% | 272 |
| Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 8.3% | 250 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 8.3% | 249 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 8.0% | 241 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an E-Class in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2003 E-Class cars, as a share of all 9,151 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 20.6% | 1,889 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 18.8% | 1,724 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 9.2% | 838 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 7.7% | 709 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 7.3% | 668 |
Questions about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
In 2025, 68.2% of E-Class cars first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2003 E-Class most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 45.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (38.1%) and brakes (30.2%). The single most common item was “Ball joint: excessively worn” (18.3%).
How often does a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class fail its MOT?
In 2025, 31.8% of first tests on E-Class cars first used in 2003 did not pass first time: 26.6% failed, and a further 5.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 3,000 of 9,151 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 20.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (18.8%), “Ball joint: has slight play” (9.2%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (7.7%) and “Brake pads: wearing thin” (7.3%).
Is a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 66.0% in 2021 to 68.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2003
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2003 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2003 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2003 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2003 E-Class?
The numbers above cover every E-Class first used in 2003 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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