Mercedes E280 CDI Avantgarde Auto (2007)

114 real MOT outcomes analysed • 49.5% first-time pass rate

2007 Mercedes E280 CDI Avantgarde Auto

CarHunch analysed 114 real MOT records for the 2007 Mercedes E280 CDI Avantgarde Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 2007 Mercedes E280 CDI has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 49.5%, nearly 31 points below the UK average of 80%, which is a significant red flag for reliability. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so safety isn't the primary concern—it's the sheer frequency of failures.

At 148,000 miles, these cars are well-used, and the average of 1.3 failures per vehicle suggests the diesel engine and transmission are prone to costly issues once past 140,000 miles. Before buying one, have a pre-purchase inspection specifically focused on the injectors, turbo, and gearbox, and budget for substantial repairs if the MOT history shows repeated failures.

Below average reliability 30.5% below UK average
49.5%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
148,028
typical mileage
114,486–173,394 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.3
avg MOT failures per car
over 4.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2007 Mercedes E280 CDI Avantgarde Auto

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 E280 CDI Avantgarde Auto

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 (99%) 113 49.3% 1.28
Gas Bi-Fuel (1%) 1 66.7% 3

Mileage Distribution

Most 2007 Mercedes E280 CDI Avantgarde Auto 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.

114,486
low mileage
148,028
typical
173,394
high mileage

Half of all 2007 Mercedes E280 CDI Avantgarde Auto vehicles fall between 114,486 and 173,394 miles.

2007 Mercedes E280 CDI Avantgarde Auto — Still on the Road

36 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 55% of the peak remain.

30 36 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

4.9
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.3
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Mercedes E280 CDI Avantgarde Auto?

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

UK

Other model years — Mercedes E280 CDI Avantgarde Auto:

2006