Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto?

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 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto?

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 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto?

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.

Is the 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 600 vehicles, the 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 83.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto (2013)

600 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.2% first-time pass rate

2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto

CarHunch analysed 600 real MOT records for the 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

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

This 2013 E220 CDI has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 27.2%, less than a third of the UK average of 80%—a significant red flag for reliability. The good news is that dangerous defects are not a recurring issue in this cohort, but the sheer volume of failures means these cars need serious mechanical attention before they'll pass their test.

At an average mileage of 94,717 miles, these are relatively high-mileage examples for a 2013, which partly explains the failure rate, but the 0.4 average failures per vehicle suggests systemic issues rather than simple wear items. If you're considering this model, budget for pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes specialist and factor in likely remedial work—this isn't a low-hassle buy.

The 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (83.2%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

First-time pass

83.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.4

Over 2.6 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

92k

Middle half: 73k–112k

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 600 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 600 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto

Based on MOT data from 600 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 (100%)	597	83.4%	0.39

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,321 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 40%

528

Black 29.4%

388

Grey 14.8%

195

White 9.6%

127

Blue 5%

Red 1.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto 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.

92,447

typical

73,105

low mileage

111,963

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto vehicles fall between 73,105 and 111,963 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 73,105 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.

✓ 73,105–111,963 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Autos sit.

⚠ Over 151,150 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto — Still on the Road

Almost all 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Autos are still on the road.

Strong survival — 142 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% 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

2.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.4

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto: All E220 SE CDI Auto years → Which year to buy? →

2014

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Mercedes Benz E220 SE CDI Auto stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?