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Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 (2009-2015) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 built around 2015: about average at the MOT

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 models built around 2015 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

19% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 models built around 2015 ended in a fail (retests included), against 19% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 models built around 2015 involves the tyres.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2009-2015SaloonDIESEL / PETROL / UNKNOWN

Based on 127,155 tests of E-Class models registered 2009-2015.

About 1 in 20 E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 MOTs (5.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2015 (10 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 24,660 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 MOTs (7.2%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2015 (10 years old).

Based on 24,660 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

W212/S212/C207/A207 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
10,76717.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
24,66019.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
23,58921.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
20,52323.9%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
17,55424.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
15,17824.3%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
11,14324.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
3,74123.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 15 years old.

How the E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 compares

At each age below, see how the E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 139,470 tests across 18 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2015 (10 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
10,76717.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
24,66019.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
23,58921.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
20,52323.9%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
17,55424.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
15,17824.3%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
11,14324.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
3,74123.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207.

  1. 1

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.5%
    Dangerous
    5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Lower fail rate: 15.7%, against 19.5% for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207, both built around 2015.

    13,061 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

  2. 2

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.8%
    Dangerous
    5.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Lower fail rate: 14.9%, against 19.5% for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207, both built around 2015.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    19,249 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

  3. 3

    Volkswagen Jetta

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.6%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    1,511 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

  4. 4

    Jaguar XE

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.9%
    Dangerous
    5.6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 5.6%, against 7.2% for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207.

    4,042 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

80%of all Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

167 recalls in all

31 of the 167 E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 Critical
  • 25 more

Top concerns

  • Takata airbag might not deploy as specified
  • Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded
  • Starting current limiter may overload

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 cars have aged

How E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%6810121416Age at MOTBuilt around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (16,598 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 15.9% (16,014 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (15,646 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 18.4% (15,025 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 19.1% (14,505 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (15,994 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.5% (15,681 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 19.2% (15,261 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 19.7% (14,621 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 20.7% (14,079 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 19.3% (15,789 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.5% (15,240 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 21.7% (14,659 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.0% (13,898 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.5% (13,274 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.1% (12,470 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 21.4% (12,127 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (11,491 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.1% (10,910 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.5% (10,406 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 20.4% (11,586 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 21.3% (11,044 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.2% (10,492 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 23.5% (9,584 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (8,826 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (9,892 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (9,346 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.0% (8,632 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.4% (7,894 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (7,151 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.3% (5,813 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 23.7% (5,295 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.5% (4,805 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 23.9% (4,225 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 23.2% (3,741 tests, 2025 data)2009
First registered around 2015First registered around 2014First registered around 2013First registered around 2012
W212/S212/C207/A207 variants compared

E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 variants built around 2015

The fail rate for each E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • E19.6%22,480 tests

Petrol

  • E17.9%1,262 tests

Unknown fuel

  • E19.1%881 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz E-Class models of this age

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz E-Class built around 2015, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the W212/S212/C207/A207 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    22.2%
    Advisory: 8,035Fail: 714 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.4%
    Advisory: 2,676Fail: 262 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.2%
    Advisory: 3,045Fail: 41 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    8.7%
    Advisory: 1,933Fail: 1,086 (36% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    8.4%
    Advisory: 2,555Fail: 510 (17% of the times it was found)

Based on 24,660 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2015 (10 years old), the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212/S212/C207/A207 (2009-2015) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 24,660 10-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 127,155 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz E-Class models first registered between 2009-2015. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.