Mercedes Benz E 220 D SE Auto (2017)

609 real MOT outcomes analysed • 26.8% first-time pass rate

2017 Mercedes Benz E 220 D SE Auto

CarHunch analysed 609 real MOT records for the 2017 Mercedes Benz E 220 D SE Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 2017 E 220 D is a genuine concern: just 26.6% pass their MOT first time, compared to the 80% UK average—meaning seven out of ten fail on their initial test. The good news is that dangerous defects are extremely rare (0%), and when failures do occur, they're minor, averaging only 0.08 per vehicle with virtually no advisories flagged.

The median mileage of 67,487 miles is reasonable for a seven-year-old diesel, suggesting these cars are being driven normally rather than abused. The poor pass rate likely reflects the complexity and cost of keeping Mercedes diesels compliant rather than fundamental unreliability—so budget generously for pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes specialist before committing.

Below average reliability 53.2% below UK average
26.8%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
67,487
typical mileage
48,587–95,527 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.08
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.8 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2017 Mercedes Benz E 220 D SE Auto

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Mercedes Benz E 220 D SE Auto

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (100%) 607 26.6% 0.08
Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) 2 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2017 Mercedes Benz E 220 D SE Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

48,587
low mileage
67,487
typical
95,527
high mileage

Half of all 2017 Mercedes Benz E 220 D SE Auto vehicles fall between 48,587 and 95,527 miles.

2017 Mercedes Benz E 220 D SE Auto — Still on the Road

102 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 76% of the peak remain.

12 102 2018 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.

MOT History Averages

1.8
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.08
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Mercedes Benz E 220 D SE Auto?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Mercedes Benz E 220 D SE Auto:

2016 2018 2019 2020