2003 Mercedes E 280 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for E 280 models manufactured in 2003, based on 109 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
2003 Mercedes E 280 MOT Analysis
The 2003 Mercedes E 280 has an MOT pass rate of 53.2% based on 109 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 107,693 miles on the odometer. With a 46.8% failure rate, the 2003 E 280 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2003 Mercedes E 280 is Tyres, responsible for 1.8% of failures. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs range from £50–200 per tyre.
Top failures specific to 2003 models only. The overall E 280 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 1.8% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 107,693 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 0.17 | 1.8% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2003 Mercedes E 280 has an MOT pass rate of 53.2% based on 109 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 107,693 miles on the odometer. With a 46.8% failure rate, the 2003 E 280 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2003 Mercedes E 280, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to tyres: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating. With an average mileage of 107,693 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Tyres — 1.8% of failures
Tyres issues account for 1.8% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes E 280 models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.