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Mercedes-Benz EQC N293 (2019-2023) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz EQC N293 built around 2020: more fails still not passed 3 days later

Mercedes-Benz EQC N293 models built around 2020 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz EQC N293?

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

Key figure

3.7% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz EQC N293 models built around 2020 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 1.9%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz EQC N293 models built around 2020 involves the tyres.

Mercedes-Benz EQC N293
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2019-2023SUVELECTRICITY

Based on 11,944 tests of EQC models registered 2019-2023.

About 1 in 5 electricity EQC cars registered in 2022 (19.1%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 4,712 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 30 EQC N293 MOTs (3.7%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2020 (5 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,478 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 EQC N293 MOTs (6.6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2020 (5 years old).

Based on 1,478 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

N293 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
5,73214.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
4,67612.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,47815.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
5813.8%

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 5 years old.

How the EQC N293 compares

At each age below, see how the EQC N293 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 124,145 tests across 22 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2020 (5 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
5,73214.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
4,67612.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,47815.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
5813.8%

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.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

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 SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the EQC N293.

  1. 1

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    4.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.8%
    Dangerous
    1.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 4.9%, against 15.9% for the Mercedes-Benz EQC N293, both built around 2020.

    1,790 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  2. 2

    Lexus UX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.6%
    Dangerous
    2.3%

    Lower fail rate: 7.1%, against 15.9% for the Mercedes-Benz EQC N293, both built around 2020.

    4,133 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  3. 3

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    6.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Lower fail rate: 6.5%, against 15.9% for the Mercedes-Benz EQC N293, both built around 2020.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,146 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  4. 4

    Honda HR-V

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.6%
    Dangerous
    2.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97%

    Lower fail rate: 8.0%, against 15.9% for the Mercedes-Benz EQC N293, both built around 2020.

    4,166 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

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

17 recalls in all

11 of the 17 EQC N293 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 11 recalls

Top concerns

  • The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications
  • The wiring harness of the electrical steering might have been damaged during the assembly process
  • The locking mechanism for the electrical connector of the side crash sensors might not meet specifications

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

How EQC N293 cars have aged

How EQC N293 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%3456Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (3,222 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.6% (2,891 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (1,918 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (1,557 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 16.4% (1,375 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.2% (98 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 6.2% (65 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 14.3% (63 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (58 tests, 2025 data)2019
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019
N293 variants compared

EQC N293 variants built around 2020

The fail rate for each EQC N293 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Electricity

  • EQC 400 AMG LINE 4MATIC16.1%735 tests
  • EQC 400 AMG LINE PREMIUM + 4M15.5%374 tests
  • EQC 400 AMG LINE PREMIUM 4M18.1%254 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz EQC models of this age

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz EQC built around 2020, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the N293 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

    29.4%
    Advisory: 688Fail: 11 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    14.2%
    Advisory: 188Fail: 80 (30% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.2%
    Advisory: 76Fail: 104 (58% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    5.5%
    Advisory: 44Fail: 65 (60% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    2.8%
    Advisory: 58Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,478 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz EQC N293?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2020 (5 years old), the Mercedes-Benz EQC N293 (2019-2023) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,478 5-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 11,944 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz EQC models first registered between 2019-2023. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.