Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A (2012)

Q: Is the 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A reliable?

Based on MOT data from 338 vehicles, the 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 84%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

338 real MOT outcomes analysed • 84% first-time pass rate

2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A

CarHunch analysed 338 real MOT records for the 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 338 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

This 2012 Mercedes E220 CDI is a serious reliability concern, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 35.9% against the UK average of 80%—meaning two-thirds of these cars fail their test. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so failures tend to be fixable rather than safety-critical.

At an average mileage of 109,000 km, these cars are showing their age, and the 0.49 failures per vehicle suggests cumulative wear catching up with ageing components rather than catastrophic problems. If you're considering one, budget for repairs as standard and get a pre-purchase inspection from a Mercedes specialist; this isn't a first-time-buyer's bargain.

The 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (84%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

First-time pass

84%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.49

Over 3.4 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

103k

Middle half: 83k–131k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

These stats describe 338 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 338 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A

Based on MOT data from 338 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (99%)	335	83.9%	0.49

Colour Breakdown

Based on 396 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 39.1%

155

Black 32.1%

127

Grey 13.4%

White 11.1%

Blue 3%

Brown 1.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

102,547

typical

83,042

low mileage

131,143

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A vehicles fall between 83,042 and 131,143 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 83,042 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 83,042–131,143 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy As sit.

⚠ Over 177,043 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A — Still on the Road

Almost all 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy As are still on the road.

Strong survival — 103 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 90% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

3.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.49

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Mercedes Benz E220 Exec Ive SE CDI Blue Cy A stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?