2009 Mercedes-Benz E MOT pass rate: 72.8% (20,117 tests)
Is the 2009 E getting worse?
Pass rate of 2009-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 72.6% +5.8 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 72.1% +5.9 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 73.8% +7.7 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2009 E
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 4,129 | 30.4% |
| 2 | Brakes | 3,228 | 23.8% |
| 3 | Tyres | 2,211 | 16.3% |
| 4 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,466 | 10.8% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 740 | 5.5% |
| 6 | Visibility | 657 | 4.8% |
All E years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2,144 | 72.6% | +6.0 pts | 106,242 |
| 2002 | 3,044 | 73.9% | +8.3 pts | 114,631 |
| 2003 | 9,071 | 73.0% | +8.0 pts | 130,266 |
| 2004 | 12,384 | 72.2% | +7.9 pts | 135,362 |
| 2005 | 12,313 | 71.5% | +7.0 pts | 133,251 |
| 2006 | 10,895 | 72.5% | +8.1 pts | 130,380 |
| 2007 | 16,256 | 74.2% | +9.1 pts | 131,961 |
| 2008 | 12,937 | 73.3% | +8.1 pts | 128,175 |
| 2009 (this page) | 20,117 | 72.8% | +6.4 pts | 116,442 |
| 2010 | 33,741 | 72.7% | +5.4 pts | 108,211 |
| 2011 | 39,703 | 73.6% | +4.4 pts | 104,039 |
| 2012 | 42,958 | 73.8% | +2.5 pts | 99,711 |
| 2013 | 55,506 | 75.0% | +1.7 pts | 93,948 |
| 2014 | 59,979 | 78.5% | +2.6 pts | 87,057 |
| 2015 | 63,547 | 81.5% | +2.8 pts | 81,928 |
| 2016 | 61,245 | 84.8% | +3.4 pts | 73,826 |
| 2017 | 66,782 | 86.3% | +2.2 pts | 69,456 |
| 2018 | 63,115 | 86.6% | +0.2 pts | 54,724 |
| 2019 | 56,640 | 87.9% | -0.5 pts | 46,313 |
| 2020 | 19,499 | 87.9% | -2.0 pts | 34,348 |
| 2021 | 4,206 | 89.1% | -1.3 pts | 34,292 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Mercedes-Benz E years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2009 Mercedes-Benz E reliable?
2009-registered examples passed 72.8% of their MOT tests (20,117 tests, 2023–2025), +6.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 17 years old with a median 116,442 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2009 E?
The median tested example shows 116,442 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2009 E?
In this cohort petrols pass 79.7% of tests against 72.2% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.