Mercedes Benz E350 Sport CDI Blueef Cy S/s A (2012)

103 real MOT outcomes analysed • 51.7% first-time pass rate

2012 Mercedes Benz E350 Sport CDI Blueef Cy S/s A

CarHunch analysed 103 real MOT records for the 2012 Mercedes Benz E350 Sport CDI Blueef Cy S/s A. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 2012 E350 CDI is a serious reliability concern: only 51.7% pass the MOT first time, nearly 30 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, and the diesel engines show no improvement at 51.6%. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so while these cars fail frequently, they're not failing in ways that threaten safety.

At nearly 96,000 miles median age, these cars are averaging 1.03 failures per test, suggesting age-related wear is hitting hard on a model that demands expensive specialist servicing. If you're considering one, budget for immediate mechanical work post-purchase and factor in the high likelihood of annual MOT failures—a pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes specialist isn't optional, it's essential.

Below average reliability 28.3% below UK average
51.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
95,163
typical mileage
78,019–117,662 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.03
avg MOT failures per car
over 4.6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2012 Mercedes Benz E350 Sport CDI Blueef Cy S/s A

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 E350 Sport CDI Blueef Cy S/s A

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 (98%) 101 51.6% 0.99
Gas Bi-Fuel (2%) 2 57.8% 3

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Mercedes Benz E350 Sport CDI Blueef Cy S/s A 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.

78,019
low mileage
95,163
typical
117,662
high mileage

Half of all 2012 Mercedes Benz E350 Sport CDI Blueef Cy S/s A vehicles fall between 78,019 and 117,662 miles.

2012 Mercedes Benz E350 Sport CDI Blueef Cy S/s A — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 57 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

27 57 2017 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.

MOT History Averages

4.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.03
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Mercedes Benz E350 Sport CDI Blueef Cy S/s A?

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

UK