2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class · 17,489 MOT tests
2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability
2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs fail 32.9% of first MOT tests, 27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 24 E-Class years (17,489 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz E-Classs: 21%)
- 32.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz E-Classs: 21%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 27% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 136,371
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 17,489
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 74% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Fail rate by area
- Suspension14.4%
- Lights and electrics12.6%
- Brakes10.4%
- Tyres6.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.8%
- Steering3.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 5.64%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.59%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.53%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 2.24%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.18%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.04%
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 (19.11%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.89%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (7.7%) · Brake pads wearing thin (5.96%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.87%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (5.6%)
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 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs fail 32.9% of first MOT tests, 27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 24 E-Class years (17,489 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT?
Most often suspension ball joint excessively worn (5.64% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (2.59% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.53% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class shows 136,371 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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