Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto (2003)
2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto
CarHunch analysed 191 real MOT records for the 2003 Mercedes E320 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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This 2003 Mercedes E320 CDI is a serious reliability concern: only 42.4% pass their MOT first time, less than half the UK average of 80%. The good news is that dangerous defects are rare at 0%, so you're not looking at safety-critical failures—but the high failure rate points to older-age wear-out issues rather than design flaws.
At 157,000 miles on average, these cars are well-used, and owners should expect roughly 0.66 failures per test, typically suspension, exhaust, or diesel-engine components common to ageing German diesels. Before buying, budget for immediate remedial work and have any purchase independently inspected by a diesel specialist, as the failure pattern suggests cumulative deterioration rather than one specific weak point.
We have limited data for the 2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.
These stats describe 191 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.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 191 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto cars.
Before you buy a 2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto
Based on MOT data from 191 vehicles — here's what to check.
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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. -
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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
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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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (99%) | 190 | 76.7% | 0.64 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Mercedes E320 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.
Half of all 2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto vehicles fall between 125,629 and 183,085 miles.
2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 21% of 2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Autos are still active.
Numbers are declining — 19 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (21% of 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
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