2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 86.3% of Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars first used in 2020 passed their MOT first time, against 86.0% for all cars first used in 2020. Across 32,113 E-Class first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, road wheels and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars first used in 2020 (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 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, E-Class cars first used in 2020 against all cars first used in 2020 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the E-Class figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2020 E-Class | All cars first used 2020 | E-Class first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | fewer than 500 tests | 84.7% | 312 |
| 2022 | 94.3% | 90.2% | 1,253 |
| 2023 | 85.4% | 87.7% | 10,819 |
| 2024 | 85.9% | 86.9% | 10,855 |
| 2025 | 86.3% | 86.0% | 10,439 |
Common 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT failures
Share of the 4,529 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 19.6% | 888 |
| Road wheel condition: fractured | 19.4% | 879 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 16.7% | 756 |
| Tyre condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | 15.2% | 689 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 11.0% | 499 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Wheels. Worth looking at each wheel rim for cracks, buckles and kerb damage.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2020 E-Class cars, as a share of all 32,113 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 11.6% | 3,741 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 4.6% | 1,467 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 2.7% | 864 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 2.3% | 735 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 2.0% | 650 |
Questions about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
In 2025, 86.3% of E-Class cars first used in 2020 passed their MOT first time, against 86.0% for all cars first used in 2020. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2020 E-Class most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 64.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), road wheels (21.3%) and lamps and electrical equipment (7.8%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed” (19.6%).
How often does a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class fail its MOT?
In 2025, 13.7% of first tests on E-Class cars first used in 2020 did not pass first time: 12.4% failed, and a further 1.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 4,529 of 32,113 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 11.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (4.6%), “Ball joint: has slight play” (2.7%), “Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (2.3%) and “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (2.0%).
Is a 2020 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 94.3% in 2022 to 86.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2020
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2020 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2020 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2020 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2020 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2020 MINI Hatch MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2020 E-Class?
The numbers above cover every E-Class first used in 2020 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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