2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class · 3,109 MOT tests
2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability
2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs fail 35.5% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 24 of 24 E-Class years (3,109 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz E-Classs: 21%)
- 35.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz E-Classs: 21%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- 108,643
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,109
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2001 against the years either side
- 2000 cars: 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2001 car does worse)
- 2002 cars: 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2001 car does worse)
- Weak spot: tyres, 6.5% of tests fail here (12% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 57% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2001 car carries a 51 plate (September–December 2001).
Common problems
What fails on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.9%
- Suspension11.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.3%
- Brakes6.9%
- Body, chassis and structure6.5%
- Tyres6.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 3.99%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.06%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Rear fog lamp not working 3.06%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Position lamp not working 2.83%
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 2.61%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.41%
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 (14.86%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.73%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.19%) · Wheel bearing slight play (6.66%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.37%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.14%)
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 2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs fail 35.5% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 24 of 24 E-Class years (3,109 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (3.99% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (3.06% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (3.06% of tests).
How many miles should a 2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have done?
At its MOT aged about 21, a typical 2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class shows 108,643 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2001 car?
A car first registered in 2001 carries a 51 plate (September–December 2001).
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