Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a popular choice on UK roads.
Euro NCAP awarded the E-Class 5 stars in 2023, with 96% adult occupant and 91% child protection scores.
It has a 76.2% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include suspension, brakes, oil leaks.
Annual running costs are estimated at £4,891 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £408/month or 61p/mile.
Theft risk is rated high at 13.5 per 1,000 registered vehicles.
NCAP Safety
2023
MOT Pass Rate
76.2%
150,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£408
est. annual total
New From
£57,000
Euro NCAP tested the E-Class in 2023 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
96%
Child Occupant
91%
Pedestrian
87%
Safety Assist
77%
There are 164 known DVSA recalls affecting the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2025/534
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain E-Class AMG (214 platform) vehicles with 4-wheel-drive the routing of the transmission wiring harness might not meet specifications.
Build dates: 2024-09-05 to 2025-01-27
R/2025/155
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain E-Class (214 platform) and GLC (254 platform) vehicles the bolts of certain 12V- and 48V- ground connections might not have been fastened with the specified torque.
Build dates: 2024-02-16 to 2024-05-06
R/2024/502
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain E-Class 214 platform and GLC 254 platform vehicles the welding of consoles to the rear axle carrier might not meet specifications.
Build dates: 2024-08-14 to 2024-09-04
R/2024/474
The software of the engine control unit might not meet specifications regarding misfire detection.
Build dates: 2021-01-20 to 2023-09-04
R/2024/474
The software of the engine control unit might not meet specifications regarding misfire detection.
Build dates: 2021-07-13 to 2023-09-08
+ 159 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Based on 150,000 MOT tests, the E-Class has a first-time pass rate of 76.2% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The E-Class is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Mercedes-Benz E-Class are estimated at around £4,891 per year, or £408 per month.
Fuel
£1,664
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£2,302
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
The E-Class achieves a combined fuel economy of around 31.7 mpg (22.2 mpg urban, 42.8 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| E CLASS (S211) ESTATE | PETROL | 31.7 mpg | 1.8L |
| E CLASS (S211) ESTATE | PETROL | 31.7 mpg | 1.8L |
| E CLASS (S211) ESTATE | DIESEL | 39.2 mpg | 2.1L |
| E CLASS (S211) ESTATE | PETROL | 25.9 mpg | 2.6L |
| E CLASS (S211) ESTATE | DIESEL | 41.5 mpg | 2.7L |
| E CLASS (S211) ESTATE | DIESEL | 39.2 mpg | 3.0L |
| E CLASS (S211) ESTATE | PETROL | 29.4 mpg | 3.0L |
| E CLASS (S211) ESTATE | PETROL | 26.7 mpg | 3.2L |
Starting from £57,000 new, a Mercedes-Benz E-Class typically retains about 56% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 75% | £42,750 | −£14,250 |
| 2 years | 64% | £36,350 | −£20,650 |
| 3 years | 56% | £32,000 | −£25,000 |
| 4 years | 50% | £28,800 | −£28,200 |
| 5 years | 46% | £26,500 | −£30,500 |
| 6 years | 43% | £24,600 | −£32,400 |
| 7 years | 41% | £23,150 | −£33,850 |
| 8 years | 39% | £22,000 | −£35,000 |
| 9 years | 37% | £20,900 | −£36,100 |
| 10 years | 35% | £19,850 | −£37,150 |
The E-Class has a theft rate of 13.5 per 1,000 registered vehicles, rated high compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000. Consider additional security measures such as a steering lock or tracking device.
The E-Class has a 76.2% first-time MOT pass rate based on 150,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
Euro NCAP awarded the E-Class 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2023. It scored 96% for adult occupant protection, 91% for child occupant protection, 87% for vulnerable road users, and 77% for safety assist features.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old E-Class are estimated at around £4,891 per year (£408/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
There are 164 known safety recalls affecting the E-Class. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
The E-Class has a theft rate of 13.5 per 1,000 registered vehicles, which is rated high compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000. Extra security measures like tracking devices and steering locks are recommended.
A new E-Class starts from around £57,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 46% of its original value.
Enter the registration to check its full MOT history, tax status, mileage, recalls and estimated value — all free.
Free & instant — no signup required
Get a free email reminder 28 days and 7 days before your MOT expires.
✓ Free ✓ No spam ✓ Unsubscribe any time
Driving without a valid MOT can mean a fine of up to £1,000.
Free Plate Check may earn a small commission from partner links, at no cost to you.
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