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Mercedes-benz E vs Mercedes-benz E280 cdi: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Mercedes-benz E
79%
MOT pass rate · 429,719 vehicles
Mercedes-benz E280 cdi
83%
MOT pass rate · 4 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz E (79%) and Mercedes-benz E280 cdi (83%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mercedes-benz E Mercedes-benz E280 cdi
MOT pass rate 79% 83% ✓
MOT failure rate 21% 17% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.6 1.6
Dangerous-fault share 3% ✓ 4%
Average mileage 124,278 mi 154,385 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 429,719 4

Most common faults

Mercedes-benz E

  1. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  4. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  5. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Mercedes-benz E280 cdi

  1. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
  2. Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))
  3. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  4. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
  5. Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge not nsr (5.2.3 (e))
  6. Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz E (79%) and Mercedes-benz E280 cdi (83%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mercedes-benz E report Full Mercedes-benz E280 cdi report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.