2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class · 4,342 MOT tests
2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability
2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs fail 32.4% of first MOT tests, 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 24 E-Class years (4,342 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz E-Classs: 21%)
- 32.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz E-Classs: 21%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 25% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 117,949
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,342
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- 2003 cars: 27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does worse)
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 58% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics15.5%
- Suspension12.4%
- Brakes8.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.7%
- Tyres5.7%
- Body, chassis and structure4.2%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.25%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 2.81%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.74%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Stop lamp not working 2.58%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.4%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Rear fog lamp not working 2.1%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (16.37%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.58%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (8.43%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.47%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.15%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.96%)
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 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs fail 32.4% of first MOT tests, 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 24 E-Class years (4,342 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (3.25% of tests), position lamp not working (2.81% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (2.74% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class shows 117,949 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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