Mercedes-Benz E-Class Common Faults in the UK
W213, 2016–2023 — premium executive saloon. Updated 6 October 2026.
This guide covers the W213, 2016–2023 only. Older E-Class generations have different engines and faults — for one of those, see how to check any car for known faults.
The W213 Mercedes E-Class (2016–2023) is the most refined of the German big three. Cars built to November 2017 are covered by a DVSA fuel-hose recall (R/2018/327), owners report harsh 9G-Tronic shifts before the software update, and Estate rear air suspension can leak. Best-buy: 2020–2022. Worst: no single year stands out on DVSA MOT results.
Largest DVSA recall for the E-Class: R/2021/134, 162,581 vehicles in the whole recall — The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications. See the 19 DVSA recalls listed for this model.
86.0% of Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars registered 2016–2022 pass the MOT on the day (cars fixed during the test included), 1.5 points above all cars registered in those years (84.5%). These are the cars this guide covers that were 3 to 12 years old when DVSA tested them in 2025, counted from 10,837 DVSA tests; a pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
Counting every registration year DVSA holds for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2003–2022), which includes generations this guide does not cover, 80.2% pass on the day (cars fixed during the test included), from 23,913 tests.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0), a sample of the 2025 file (about one test in ten, from nine months). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a pass here (passed on the day); DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Compared against cars of the same registration years, because pass rates otherwise mostly measure how old a model's surviving fleet is.
See it by registration year and by mileage ↓The asking-price figures above are the middle 80% and the median of what sellers were asking on Autoza on 29 October 2026 — not what buyers pay — for Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars registered 2016–2023. They are worked out from the cars on sale when this page is generated, and none is shown when fewer than 10 cars qualify. The road tax line comes from GOV.UK's vehicle tax rate tables (2026/27 rates). The other quick-stats values are indicative editorial estimates aggregated from owner-forum sentiment, recall data and reliability surveys. We do not publish a UK price index, and no figure here should be quoted as one.
Best and worst years to buy
We name a year as a best or worst buy only where the DVSA MOT table further down does not rate it the other way.
Post-2020 examples are built after the early fuel-system recalls, the 9G-Tronic gearbox software is matured, and MBUX voice control is far more stable than at its first release.
The earliest cars carry the generation's safety recalls: R/2018/327 (the fuel feed hose may chafe and leak; E-Class built October 2015 to November 2017) and R/2016/255 (the rear seat frame can foul the fuel pump wiring so the engine may cut out; built October 2015 to August 2016). Owners also report gearbox harshness before the 2019 software update. The DVSA MOT table on this page rates 2016 and 2017 registrations above all cars registered those years, so they are not named as years to avoid. Judge a E-Class by its registration, service history and the checks below rather than by year.
Known faults — Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213, 2016–2023
How to read this list. Items marked Safety recall are DVSA safety recalls, shown with DVSA’s own reference. Whether a particular car is affected depends on when it was built: check it by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check. Everything else in this list is owner-reported: patterns that come up repeatedly with workshops, owner forums and reliability surveys. Those are worth checking on a viewing, but we hold no count of how many cars have each one, other than any survey share a card itself quotes. Treat an owner-reported item as a question to ask, not a fault this car has.
Fuel feed hose routing (safety recall)
- Symptoms
- DVSA recall wording: the fuel hose might be incorrectly routed, with a possibility of chafing and leakage. A fuel smell or wet patch under the car is the warning sign
- Years affected
- E-Class built 1 October 2015 to 30 November 2017
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under the recall at a Mercedes-Benz dealer
- What to check before buying
- Check the registration on GOV.UK’s recall check and ask for the dealer record showing R/2018/327 was carried out. Early 2016 builds may also be due R/2016/255 (fuel pump wiring).
DVSA’s counts, recall by recall: R/2018/327 31,658; R/2016/255 4,231.
9G-Tronic harsh shifts
- Symptoms
- Notchy 2-3 and 3-4 upshifts; flare on downshifts
- Years affected
- 2016–2018
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under software update at MB dealer; £600+ if mechatronic affected
- What to check before buying
- During test drive, hold gears manually and observe shift quality. Service history should show software update applied.
Rear air suspension leak (Estate)
- Symptoms
- Tail end sits low overnight; pump cycles excessively; "AIRMATIC fault" warning
- Years affected
- All Estate variants with rear air suspension — 75,000+ miles
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £500–£900 per side air bellow + valve service
- What to check before buying
- Park overnight on level ground. Check rear ride height next day. Listen for compressor at idle (pump should rest).
MBUX voice control glitches
- Symptoms
- "Hey Mercedes" not responding; wake-word recognition errors; UI freeze
- Years affected
- 2018–2020
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under software update
- What to check before buying
- Test "Hey Mercedes" wake-word during inspection. Three failed attempts in a row signals software not updated.
EQ Boost 48V mild hybrid
- Symptoms
- Stop-start unavailable; "EQ Boost" warning; reduced fuel economy
- Years affected
- 2018+ on E300, E450
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £900–£1,300 battery / starter-generator
- What to check before buying
- Stop-start should engage reliably at every junction once warm.
COMAND headunit failure (pre-MBUX)
- Symptoms
- Screen blank on startup; navigation unavailable; CD player won't recognise discs
- Years affected
- 2016–2017
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £600–£1,400 used unit + coding
- What to check before buying
- Use COMAND through full warm-up. Try every menu including SD card and Bluetooth pairing.
More DVSA safety recalls for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, largest first
These are the recalls DVSA lists for this model and its build years that the cards above do not already describe: every one of 10,000 or more vehicles, largest first, with DVSA’s own reference and figures. A recall covers only cars built in its dates and within its VIN range — check a particular car by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check. “Critical” here means DVSA’s own notice tells owners not to drive the car until it is fixed. It is never a size: “Large” means DVSA lists 10,000 or more vehicles in the recall.
- Safety recall · R/2021/134Large recall — 162,581 vehicles
The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications
162,581 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 4 January 2016 and 29 January 2021 · recall launched 5 May 2021
- Safety recall · R/2021/110Large recall — 108,971 vehicles
The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications
108,971 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 4 January 2016 and 29 January 2021 · recall launched 13 May 2021
- Safety recall · R/2021/133Large recall — 106,665 vehicles
The emergency call system might not meet specifications
106,665 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 4 January 2016 and 29 January 2021 · recall launched 5 May 2021
- Safety recall · R/2021/111Large recall — 90,716 vehicles
The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications
90,716 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 4 January 2016 and 29 January 2021 · recall launched 10 May 2021
- Safety recall · R/2021/120Large recall — 86,604 vehicles
The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications
86,604 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 4 January 2016 and 29 January 2021 · recall launched 11 May 2021
- Safety recall · R/2018/006Large recall — 84,879 vehicles
Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded
The steering column clock spring may break. This will cause warning messages to illuminate in the instrument cluster but in extreme instances it may cause the driver's airbag to deploy.
84,879 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 1 November 2011 and 31 July 2017 · recall launched 2 February 2018
11 more recalls of 10,000+ vehicles
- Safety recall · R/2021/131Large recall — 81,267 vehicles
The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications
81,267 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 4 January 2016 and 29 January 2021 · recall launched 5 May 2021
- Safety recall · R/2017/096Large recall — 74,444 vehicles
Starting current limiter may overload
74,444 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 1 February 2014 and 28 February 2017 · recall launched 20 June 2017
- Safety recall · R/2023/023Large recall — 51,251 vehicles
On affected vehicles the aluminium bolts of the steering gear could corrode and break due to the intrusion of moisture.
51,251 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 1 August 2016 and 19 September 2016 · recall launched 20 February 2023
- Safety recall · R/2021/376Large recall — 50,390 vehicles
The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications
50,390 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 4 January 2016 and 29 January 2021 · recall launched 29 November 2021
- Safety recall · R/2021/438Large recall — 35,624 vehicles
Coolant pump might have a leakage between the vacuum system and the coolant circuit
35,624 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 4 April 2017 and 12 October 2021 · recall launched 21 January 2022
- Safety recall · R/2019/256Large recall — 25,647 vehicles
To achieve an improvement in the emissions via software updates
25,647 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 1 June 2012 and 30 November 2017 · recall launched 6 September 2019
- Safety recall · R/2018/146Large recall — 21,366 vehicles
Right side of front seat backrests may not lock into place
21,366 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 1 August 2017 and 1 February 2018 · recall launched 30 July 2018
- Safety recall · R/2019/372Large recall — 15,652 vehicles
Certain front seat belt buckles may not have been manufactured according to specification
15,652 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 2 June 2018 and 31 October 2018 · recall launched 3 August 2020
- Safety recall · R/2019/326Large recall — 11,130 vehicles
The spoiler on the rear door may have been mounted incorrectly
11,130 vehicles of this model (DVSA’s figures added up) · built between 29 September 2016 and 17 January 2019 · recall launched 18 October 2019
- Safety recall · R/2021/132Large recall — 10,410 vehicles
The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications
10,410 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 4 January 2016 and 29 January 2021 · recall launched 5 May 2021
- Safety recall · R/2018/154Large recall — 10,113 vehicles
Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded
10,113 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 11 June 2011 and 7 June 2017 · recall launched 9 July 2018
Source: DVSA vehicle recalls file (every recall since 1992), published under the Open Government Licence. Where DVSA gives one figure for a recall that covers several models, it is shown as the whole recall’s total.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT results by year and mileage
Measured from DVSA’s own MOT test records for tests carried out in 2025, not from owner reports.
By registration year
Against all cars registered in the same year, the MOT pass rate for the E-Class was higher in 5 and level in 5 of the 10 registration years from 2013 to 2022 with enough tests to measure. The widest gap above is 2016 registrations: 84.0% against 79.4%.
Pass rate here: passed on the day, cars fixed during the test included. Rows: every Mercedes-Benz E-Class DVSA tested in 2025, by registration year (2013–2022), all engines and fuels together. 2013–2015 registrations are older generations of the E-Class than this guide covers, shown for comparison; the guide’s own cars start in 2016. A registration year cannot separate two generations exactly when one replaced the other part-way through a year.
| Registered | E-Class | All cars that year | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022317 tests | 92.1% | 91.2% | +0.9 level |
| 2021684 tests | 88.0% | 90.1% | −2.1 level |
| 20201,099 tests | 87.3% | 88.7% | −1.4 level |
| 20192,101 tests | 85.9% | 86.9% | −1.0 level |
| 20182,225 tests | 86.1% | 84.5% | +1.6 higher |
| 20172,344 tests | 85.6% | 82.2% | +3.4 higher |
| 20162,067 tests | 84.0% | 79.4% | +4.6 higher |
| 20152,142 tests | 79.3% | 76.7% | +2.6 higher |
| 20142,051 tests | 77.8% | 74.3% | +3.5 higher |
| 20131,848 tests | 73.4% | 71.9% | +1.5 level |
By mileage at the test
Against cars of the same age on the same mileage, the pass rate for the E-Class was higher in 6 and lower in 1 of the 7 mileage bands with enough tests. How other models compare at the same mileage.
Show the table by mileage (7 bands)
| Mileage | E-Class | Same age and mileage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20k–40k2,077 tests | 86.7% | 88.4% | −1.7 lower |
| 40k–60k3,667 tests | 83.8% | 82.6% | +1.2 higher |
| 60k–80k4,477 tests | 81.3% | 77.3% | +4.0 higher |
| 80k–100k4,167 tests | 78.5% | 72.9% | +5.6 higher |
| 100k–120k2,841 tests | 75.9% | 69.6% | +6.3 higher |
| 120k–140k2,058 tests | 75.9% | 68.8% | +7.2 higher |
| 160k+2,380 tests | 79.0% | 70.6% | +8.4 higher |
Only a major or dangerous defect fails an MOT. A minor defect is recorded on the certificate and the car still passes, and an advisory is not a failure at all.
We don’t give a recall count for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class: whether a recall applies depends on the individual car. Check the one you are looking at by entering its registration on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall checker, and see how to check a car for known faults for the other free checks.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0), a sample of the 2025 file (about one test in ten, from nine months) (3,459,000 tests). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a pass here (passed on the day); DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Odometer readings below 100 or above 400,000 miles are discarded as misreadings, and cars under three years old are excluded because no MOT is yet due. Sampled from nine months of 2025 (January, February, April, May, July, August, September, October and November). Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Registration years shown are cars 3 to 12 years old when tested; the smallest rests on 317 tests. A gap is called level when it is under one percentage point or inside the 95% sampling margin for that number of tests. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Who this car suits — and who should look elsewhere
Long-distance comfort buyers; motorway commuters; buyers prioritising interior refinement above sportiness.
Short-trip city users (DPF on diesel), drivers who don't budget for MB-specialist servicing (£500+ per service).
Alternatives to consider
If the Mercedes-Benz E-Class doesn't suit, these comparable models are worth a look in the UK market:
Mercedes-Benz E-Class: questions buyers ask
What are the most common faults on a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the UK?
The W213 Mercedes E-Class (2016–2023) is the most refined of the German big three. Cars built to November 2017 are covered by a DVSA fuel-hose recall (R/2018/327), owners report harsh 9G-Tronic shifts before the software update, and Estate rear air suspension can leak. Best-buy: 2020–2022. Worst: no single year stands out on DVSA MOT results.
What is the best year to buy a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the UK?
Best-buy years: 2020, 2021, 2022. Post-2020 examples are built after the early fuel-system recalls, the 9G-Tronic gearbox software is matured, and MBUX voice control is far more stable than at its first release.
What years of Mercedes-Benz E-Class should I avoid in the UK?
No specific year of the W213, 2016–2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is generally avoided. The earliest cars carry the generation's safety recalls: R/2018/327 (the fuel feed hose may chafe and leak; E-Class built October 2015 to November 2017) and R/2016/255 (the rear seat frame can foul the fuel pump wiring so the engine may cut out; built October 2015 to August 2016). Owners also report gearbox harshness before the 2019 software update. The DVSA MOT table on this page rates 2016 and 2017 registrations above all cars registered those years, so they are not named as years to avoid. Judge a E-Class by its registration, service history and the checks below rather than by year.
How much does a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class cost in the UK in 2026?
What sellers were asking on Autoza on 29 October 2026, for Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars registered 2016–2023: £11,560–£29,995, median £14,995 — the range is the middle 80% of asking prices. Those are asking prices, not what buyers paid, and not a UK price index. Prices vary by mileage, region and trim, so compare several adverts of the same year and mileage band before negotiating.
What is the road tax (VED) on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the UK?
Annual road tax (VED): £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
What real-world fuel economy does a Mercedes-Benz E-Class achieve on UK roads?
Typical real-world consumption: 42–50 mpg for E220d real-world.
How does a Mercedes-Benz E-Class compare to its rivals?
Strong alternatives in the UK: BMW 5 Series G30, Audi A6 C8, Volvo S90. Choose based on dealer network in your area, parts availability, and your priorities (running cost vs. cabin quality vs. badge).
Who is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class most suitable for?
Long-distance comfort buyers; motorway commuters; buyers prioritising interior refinement above sportiness.
Who should NOT buy a Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Short-trip city users (DPF on diesel), drivers who don't budget for MB-specialist servicing (£500+ per service).
Are there safety recalls on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
DVSA lists 19 safety recalls for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class that this guide shows or names, the largest first: R/2021/134 (162,581 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 4 January 2016 and 29 January 2021): The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications; R/2021/110 (108,971 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 4 January 2016 and 29 January 2021): The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications; R/2021/133 (106,665 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 4 January 2016 and 29 January 2021): The emergency call system might not meet specifications. Whether a particular car is affected depends on its build date and VIN, so check its registration on GOV.UK (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy.
Is the Fuel feed hose routing (safety recall) on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class a serious problem?
Fuel feed hose routing (safety recall) on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2018/327. Symptoms: DVSA recall wording: the fuel hose might be incorrectly routed, with a possibility of chafing and leakage. A fuel smell or wet patch under the car is the warning sign. Years affected: E-Class built 1 October 2015 to 30 November 2017. Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under the recall at a Mercedes-Benz dealer. What to check before buying: Check the registration on GOV.UK’s recall check and ask for the dealer record showing R/2018/327 was carried out. Early 2016 builds may also be due R/2016/255 (fuel pump wiring).
Check these next
The guide above is about the Mercedes-Benz E-Class as a model. These are about the car in front of you.
- Browse Mercedes-Benz E-Class listings on AutozaEvery one listed now.
- Check any car by its registrationFree: its MOT history, tax status and any open recall, from a number plate.
- Work out the road tax for the E-ClassVehicle tax (VED) by registration date, CO2 and list price.
- Work out the monthly payment on a £14,995 E-ClassThe median asking price on Autoza on 29 October 2026, not what buyers pay: change it to the car you are looking at.
- What is your E-Class worth?A price range from dealers' asking prices for comparable cars.
Looking to buy a Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the UK?
Search Autoza listings filtered by year, mileage, and region. Every dealer page shows the business name, address and contact details, so you can check the business before you enquire.