1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class · 2,440 MOT tests
1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability
1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs fail 31% of first MOT tests, 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 24 E-Class years (2,440 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz E-Classs: 21%)
- 31%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz E-Classs: 21%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 18% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 114,079
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,440
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- 1999 cars: 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: tyres, 5.2% of tests fail here (21% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 66% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.3%
- Suspension8.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.5%
- Brakes6.6%
- Body, chassis and structure6.1%
- Tyres5.2%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 4.43%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 2.87%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 2.42%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.17%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 2.13%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.64%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.89%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.49%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (9.06%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (8.07%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.7%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (5.45%)
Other years
Every Mercedes-Benz E-Class year
The full picture: Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability. Before you pay for any Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs fail 31% of first MOT tests, 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 24 E-Class years (2,440 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (4.43% of tests), position lamp not working (2.87% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (2.42% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class shows 114,079 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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