Skip to main content
Check

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 (2016-2022) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238?

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

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 14% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2016-2022SaloonDIESEL / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC / UNKNOWN

Based on 105,129 tests of E-Class models registered 2016-2022.

About 1 in 6 diesel E-Class cars registered in 2022 (17.4%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 115 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 30 E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 MOTs (3.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 24,900 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 W213/S213/C238/A238 MOTs (6.6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 24,900 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

W213/S213/C238/A238 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1,32512.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
4,91511.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
11,61911.7%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
23,33413.5%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
24,90014.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
24,28014.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
14,75616.8%

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 9 years old.

How the E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 compares

At each age below, see how the E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 182,274 tests across 17 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1,32512.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
4,91511.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
11,61911.7%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
23,33413.5%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
24,90014.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
24,28014.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
14,75616.8%

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 pads

High priority

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

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.

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 W213/S213/C238/A238.

  1. 1

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    4.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.7%, against 6.6% for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238.

    10,105 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volvo S90

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.8%
    Dangerous
    5.9%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 14.5% for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238, both built around 2018.

    2,355 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Jaguar XF

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.1%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 5.3%, against 6.6% for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,761 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Jaguar XE

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 6.0%, against 6.6% for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238.

    8,135 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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.

Recall context

167 recalls in all

84 of the 167 E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 Critical
  • 78 more

Top concerns

  • Driver's airbag gas generator housing failure during deployment
  • Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded
  • Oil leak from turbocharger feed pipe.

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

What has gone wrong on E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 cars built around 2018

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 1,261 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
10%
Emissions
4%
Drivetrain
1%

Wear items

Tyres
33%
Brakes
7%
Lighting
3%

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Engine sizes across all diesel E-Class tests (not specific to W213/S213/C238/A238).

1.4 to 2.0 litres14.6%19,616 tests2.0 to 3.0 litres14.9%1,561 tests
How E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 cars have aged

How E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 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.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%3456789Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.7% (1,937 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.0% (1,896 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 13.0% (5,333 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 13.0% (4,759 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (4,333 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (17,557 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.4% (15,482 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (14,659 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (14,118 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 12.2% (20,324 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.1% (17,849 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.2% (16,338 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (15,635 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 14.3% (14,803 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (18,725 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.6% (17,693 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (16,854 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (16,046 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 14.7% (15,335 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (17,068 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (16,441 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 15.1% (15,919 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 15.9% (15,270 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 16.8% (14,756 tests, 2025 data)2016
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as W213/S213/C238/A238 cars age

How each part holds up as W213/S213/C238/A238 cars age

The share of diesel cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car5 years6 years7 years8 years
Suspension3%6%10%12%
Brakes1%5%7%9%
EmissionsNo figure1%4%9%
Tyres25%30%33%34%
LightingNo figure2%3%3%
DrivetrainNo figure1%1%No figure
Corrosion0%0%0%0%

Based on diesel cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 239 to 1,714 cars at each age.

W213/S213/C238/A238 variants compared

E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • E14.6%21,134 tests

Petrol

  • E14.1%2,944 tests

Hybrid electric

  • E11.4%762 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 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the W213/S213/C238/A238 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

    19.0%
    Advisory: 6,902Fail: 784 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    8.7%
    Advisory: 2,145Fail: 759 (26% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    7.7%
    Advisory: 2,217Fail: 196 (8% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.1%
    Advisory: 1,104Fail: 1,003 (48% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    5.4%
    Advisory: 1,939Fail: 20 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 24,900 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213/S213/C238/A238 (2016-2022) fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. This is based on 24,900 7-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 105,129 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz E-Class models first registered between 2016-2022. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.