Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI 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 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI 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 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI 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.

Is the 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI A reliable?

Based on MOT data from 376 vehicles, the 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.3%, 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 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI 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 E220 Avantgarde CDI A (2008)

376 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.3% first-time pass rate

2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI A

CarHunch analysed 376 real MOT records for the 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI A. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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On this page

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

Moderate sample. 376 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

This 2008 E220 CDI is a serious reliability gamble: only 20.7% pass their MOT first time, nearly four times worse than the UK average of 80%. The good news is that dangerous defects are not flagged in this cohort, but the very low pass rate and median CarHunch score of 35 signal that buyers should expect significant repair bills.

At 138,930 miles median mileage for a 16-year-old car, these vehicles have been driven hard and show it—averaging 0.47 failures per test. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes specialist, because the first-time pass rate tells you the mechanical bar is set very low for these cars.

The 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI A passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (76.3%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

First-time pass

76.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.47

Over 2.6 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

139k

Middle half: 103k–170k

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 376 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 376 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI A cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI A

Based on MOT data from 376 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,005 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI A vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 47%

472

Black 34.2%

344

Grey 12.5%

126

Blue 6.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI 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.

138,930

typical

103,443

low mileage

170,366

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI A vehicles fall between 103,443 and 170,366 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 103,443 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.

✓ 103,443–170,366 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI As sit.

⚠ Over 229,994 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI A — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 56% of 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI As are still active.

48 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 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

0.47

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI A: All E220 Avantgarde CDI A years → Which year to buy? →

2006 2007 2009

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Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Mercedes E220 Avantgarde CDI A stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?