BMW 5 Series vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the BMW 5 Series is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 3.6 percentage points more often than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 42,748 real tests, not a survey.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
BMW 5 Series	82.6%	75.9%	+6.8	18,835
Mercedes-Benz E-Class	80.2%	77%	+3.2	23,913

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Applies to Great Britain — Northern Ireland is tested by the DVA under a separate manual.

BMW 5 Series

G30, 2017–2024 · premium executive saloon

The G30 BMW 5 Series (2017–2024) is generally robust in UK conditions, but pre-2018 B47 diesel engines have a known timing-chain weakness above 75,000 miles, and 530d Touring air-suspension can fail after 95,000 miles. Post-2019 examples avoid both issues. Best-buy years: 2019–2021. Worst: pre-2018 diesel.

What goes wrong

Engine — B47 diesel timing chaincritical
Rattle on cold start that fades after 5–10 seconds; metallic chain noise when accelerating
Pre-2018 (B47 engine code, mostly 520d / 525d) · Above 75,000 miles · £2,500–£4,500 (chain, guides, tensioner, gaskets, labour)
Check: Cold-start in person — never accept "the engine is already warm". Borescope inspection at a BMW specialist (£80–£120) is the cheapest insurance.
EGR cooler (B47 diesel)major
Coolant loss with no visible external leak; in worst cases, EGR cooler fire (recall issued)
2014–2018 · Free under recall if not yet completed; otherwise £1,200–£1,800
Check: Ask the dealer for proof the EGR cooler recall was completed. Recall reference: 0036530100. The gov.uk recall checker can verify by VIN.
Air suspension (530d Touring, 540i Touring)moderate
Car sits low at one corner overnight; harsh ride; air-pump runs constantly
All years on Touring with optional air suspension · Typical failure 95,000–110,000 miles · £800–£1,400 per corner (genuine BMW); aftermarket from £350
Check: Park overnight before viewing — check ride height all four corners next morning. Listen for the air pump cycling at idle.
iDrive eDrive battery (530e PHEV)moderate
Reduced electric-only range; longer charging time; loss of full hybrid mode
530e PHEV, all years · After year 5, especially below 30°C usage patterns · £3,500–£6,000 for replacement battery pack
Check: Ask for current EV-only range during test drive. Should achieve 22–28 miles on a full charge in mild UK weather. Below 16 miles signals battery degradation.

Typical asking price:: £12,000–£42,000 (2017–2024)
Real-world economy:: 44–51 mpg real-world for 520d on UK roads (B47 engine)
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2019, 2020, 2021
Years to avoid:: 2017, early 2018

Full 5 Series fault guide Used BMWs

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

W213, 2016–2023 · premium executive saloon

The W213 Mercedes E-Class (2016–2023) is the most refined of the German big three but suffers from OM654 diesel injector recalls (2017–2019), 9G-Tronic harsh shifts requiring software update, and rear air suspension leaks on Estate variants. Post-2020 examples are most reliable. Best-buy: 2020–2022. Worst: early 2017 OM654.

What goes wrong

OM654 diesel injector recallmajor
Rough idle, smoke under acceleration, rare cases of fuel-air mixture issues
2017–2019 (E220d, E300d, E350d) · Free under recall; £1,800+ if not completed and fault has developed
Check: Verify recall completion via VIN at a Mercedes UK dealer or the gov.uk recall checker. Recall reference: campaign 5499006.
9G-Tronic harsh shiftsminor
Notchy 2-3 and 3-4 upshifts; flare on downshifts
2016–2018 · Free under software update at MB dealer; £600+ if mechatronic affected
Check: During test drive, hold gears manually and observe shift quality. Service history should show software update applied.
Rear air suspension leak (Estate)moderate
Tail end sits low overnight; pump cycles excessively; "AIRMATIC fault" warning
All Estate variants with rear air suspension · 75,000+ miles · £500–£900 per side air bellow + valve service
Check: Park overnight on level ground. Check rear ride height next day. Listen for compressor at idle (pump should rest).
MBUX voice control glitchesminor
"Hey Mercedes" not responding; wake-word recognition errors; UI freeze
2018–2020 · Free under software update
Check: Test "Hey Mercedes" wake-word during inspection. Three failed attempts in a row signals software not updated.

Typical asking price:: £10,000–£40,000 (2016–2023)
Real-world economy:: 42–50 mpg for E220d real-world
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2020, 2021, 2022
Years to avoid:: 2017, early 2018

Full E-Class fault guide Used Mercedes-Benzs

Which one suits you

BMW 5 Series

Good for: Long-distance commuters, motorway drivers, anyone covering 15,000+ miles/year. Excellent depreciation curve from 4 years onwards.

Less good for: Short-trip city driving (DPF issues), drivers who skip routine servicing, anyone unwilling to budget £700–£1,000/year for maintenance.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Good for: Long-distance comfort buyers; motorway commuters; buyers prioritising interior refinement above sportiness.

Less good for: Short-trip city users (DPF on diesel), drivers who don't budget for MB-specialist servicing (£500+ per service).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 5 Series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The BMW 5 Series. It passes its first MOT 3.6 percentage points more often than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class once both are age-adjusted, across 42,748 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 5 Series?

82.6% of BMW 5 Seriess pass their MOT first time, from 18,835 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 75.9% — so it runs 6.8 points better than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

80.2% of Mercedes-Benz E-Classs pass their MOT first time, from 23,913 tests. Against the 77% that cars of its age average, it runs 3.2 points better.

Which years should I avoid?

For the BMW 5 Series, Pre-2018 B47 diesel timing chains are the headline issue — chain stretch above 75,000 miles can cause catastrophic engine damage. Several UK dealers refuse to take pre-2018 520d in part-exchange for this reason. For the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, The OM654 injector recall affected 2017–2019 diesels — many were left to the second owner to discover. Software-related gearbox harshness was common before the 2019 update.

Which is cheaper to run?

The BMW 5 Series returns 44–51 mpg real-world for 520d on UK roads (B47 engine) in real UK driving; the Mercedes-Benz E-Class returns 42–50 mpg for E220d real-world. Vehicle tax: 5 Series — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).; E-Class — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).. Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-08-14 / 2026-08-14.