Mercedes Benz E (2009)
2009 Mercedes Benz E
CarHunch analysed 11,472 real MOT records for the 2009 Mercedes Benz E. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 82.8%, which is reassuring—but the elephant in the room is that 40.9% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable levels and a serious buyer concern. Petrol models fare better at 86.6% pass rate versus diesel at 82.5%, suggesting the petrol variant is marginally more robust, though the sample is much smaller.
At around 85,500 miles median, these cars have covered typical mileage for their age, yet they're averaging 2.68 failures and 17.5 advisories per test, pointing to aging components and wear that's becoming expensive to manage. Before buying, run a full pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, electrics, and brake systems—this generation is prone to costly failures in those areas, and the high dangerous defect rate means skipping due diligence is a false economy.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 4.1 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2009 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.
- ⚠️ 40.9% 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (93%) | 10,673 | 82.5% | 2.73 |
| Petrol (7%) | 797 | 86.6% | 1.96 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 79% | 3.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 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 2009 Mercedes Benz E vehicles fall between 65,844 and 109,524 miles.
2009 Mercedes Benz E — Still on the Road
5,780 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 56% of the peak remain.
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 — 2009 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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59.4%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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57.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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57.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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47.2%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
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43.4%
Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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37.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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36.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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33.3%
Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009. 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.