Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde 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 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde 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 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde 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 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 214 vehicles, the 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74%, 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 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde 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.

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Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Auto (2005)

214 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74% first-time pass rate

2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Auto

CarHunch analysed 214 real MOT records for the 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Auto. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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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

This 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI is a serious reliability gamble—just 12.8% of these cars pass their MOT first time against the UK average of 80%, making it one of the least dependable vehicles at this age. The good news is that dangerous defects are not a feature of the cohort, but the near-total failure rate tells you these diesels simply don't hold up well.

At 170,000 miles median, these cars have done typical mileage for their age, but the 0.28 average failures per vehicle during testing suggests fundamental wear rather than isolated issues. If you're seriously considering one, budget for immediate repairs before purchase and have a pre-buy inspection by a Mercedes specialist—this model needs expert scrutiny, not just an MOT.

We have limited data for the 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

74%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.28

Over 1.7 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

171k

Middle half: 152k–193k

For context

These stats describe 214 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 214 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Auto

Based on MOT data from 214 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%)	213	74%	0.28

Colour Breakdown

Based on 757 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 52.6%

398

Black 21.7%

164

Blue 19.9%

151

Grey 2.9%

Purple 1.6%

Green 1.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde 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.

170,692

typical

151,814

low mileage

193,204

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Auto vehicles fall between 151,814 and 193,204 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 151,814 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.

✓ 151,814–193,204 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Autos sit.

⚠ Over 260,825 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 45% of 2005 Mercedes E220 CDI Avantgarde Autos are still active.

Numbers are declining — 14 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (45% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2023.
* 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

1.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.28

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2003 2004 2006

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Compare with another model

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Buyer beware — pass it on