1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class · 2,413 MOT tests
1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability
1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs fail 31.9% of first MOT tests, 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 21 of 24 E-Class years (2,413 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz E-Classs: 21%)
- 31.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz E-Classs: 21%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 19% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- 111,496
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,413
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1999 against the years either side
- 1998 cars: 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does better)
- 2000 cars: 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does worse)
- Weak spot: tyres, 5.3% of tests fail here (13% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 73% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.3%
- Suspension11%
- Brakes6.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.6%
- Tyres5.3%
- Body, chassis and structure5.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 3.61%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 2.98%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Position lamp not working 2.74%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.24%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.95%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.78%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (15.04%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (10.4%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.28%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (5.68%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.3%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (4.85%)
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 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs fail 31.9% of first MOT tests, 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 21 of 24 E-Class years (2,413 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (3.61% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (2.98% of tests), position lamp not working (2.74% of tests).
How many miles should a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have done?
At its MOT aged about 24, a typical 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class shows 111,496 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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