Mercedes Benz E (2006)
2006 Mercedes Benz E
CarHunch analysed 9,705 real MOT records for the 2006 Mercedes Benz E. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz E passes its MOT at 80.3%, matching the UK average, but this masks a serious concern: 40.1% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd expect. Petrol versions perform better at 83.9% pass rate compared to diesel at 79.6%, suggesting the diesel engines are more prone to failure.
These cars are averaging nearly 100,000 miles, which is typical for their age, but the real story is the maintenance burden—owners face an average of 3.34 failures and 20.2 advisories per test. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection by an independent Mercedes specialist, because the high dangerous-defect rate signals that cosmetic condition won't tell you whether the car is safe.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 4.3 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2006 Mercedes Benz E
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.
- ⚠️ 40.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (85%) | 8,235 | 79.6% | 3.5 |
| Petrol (15%) | 1,464 | 83.9% | 2.44 |
| LPG (0%) | 5 | 75.5% | 3.8 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 Mercedes Benz E 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.
Half of all 2006 Mercedes Benz E vehicles fall between 77,271 and 124,447 miles.
2006 Mercedes Benz E — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 2,937 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (37% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2006 Mercedes Benz E
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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82.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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82.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61.2%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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53.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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50.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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45.6%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
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31.9%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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30.9%
Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes Benz E?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.