2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class · 17,232 MOT tests
2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability
2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs fail 33.3% of first MOT tests, 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 24 E-Class years (17,232 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz E-Classs: 21%)
- 33.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz E-Classs: 21%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 26% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 133,311
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 17,232
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- 2006 cars: 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1% of tests fail here (46% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 78% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Fail rate by area
- Suspension14.3%
- Lights and electrics12.3%
- Brakes9.5%
- Tyres7.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.7%
- Steering3.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 6.45%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.79%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.7%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 2.41%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.23%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
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.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (19.01%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.15%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (8.11%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.59%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.45%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (6.01%)
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 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Classs fail 33.3% of first MOT tests, 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 24 E-Class years (17,232 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT?
Most often suspension ball joint excessively worn (6.45% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.79% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (2.7% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class shows 133,311 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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