Mercedes E (2020)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 14,944 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,852

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1950cc Diesel

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1,852/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Diesel1950cc6 years old14,944 tests40k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1950cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,852

Per month£154/mo

Per week£36/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

90% of MOT tests on Mercedes Es from 2020 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 4 years old. That's based on 14,944 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 39,756 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 models1716th of 2,554(bottom half)

Rank among Mercedes models612th of 1,376(top half)

vs average of all models+8%(82% avg)

vs 2020 models average-2%(92% avg)

vs Mercedes average+3%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

39,756

Average miles

29,600

Expected for age

The average 2020 Mercedes E had 39,756 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 77%. The 2020 scores 90%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Mercedes E by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2023	92%	53	32,945 mi
2022	96%	126	59,884 mi
2021	92%	4,602	34,724 mi
2020	90%	14,944	39,756 mi
2019	90%	41,000	54,796 mi
2018	90%	47,312	65,452 mi
2017	89%	47,254	81,087 mi
2016	89%	42,891	87,292 mi
2015	86%	44,602	93,549 mi
2014	84%	44,780	95,170 mi
2013	82%	42,002	100,537 mi
2012	81%	31,910	105,440 mi
2011	81%	30,211	107,589 mi
2010	80%	25,610	111,787 mi
2009	80%	14,250	119,764 mi
2008	79%	8,606	134,385 mi
2007	80%	10,451	135,015 mi
2006	79%	7,256	133,383 mi
2005	78%	8,269	136,951 mi
2004	78%	8,333	138,870 mi
2003	78%	5,869	136,033 mi
2002	79%	2,009	120,200 mi
2001	77%	1,446	110,720 mi
2000	79%	1,031	110,044 mi
1999	81%	1,453	121,790 mi
1998	83%	1,696	116,683 mi
1997	77%	975	105,694 mi
1996	78%	1,535	128,722 mi
1995	79%	2,442	133,725 mi
1994	79%	2,118	129,558 mi
1993	78%	599	123,052 mi
1992	80%	148	142,883 mi
1991	78%	90	110,439 mi
1990	82%	85	135,367 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

2018 · 1968cc Diesel

£1,852/year

92%

+2%

Ford Focus

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-1%

Mercedes A

2019 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,674/year

91%

+1%

Mercedes A-Class

2018 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-1%

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About the 2020 Mercedes E

The 2020 Mercedes E is a premium car. Our records list a 1950cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 14,944 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 39,756 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mercedes E owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2020 Mercedes E Fuel Costs

The 1950cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2020 Mercedes E?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,852 (£154/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Mercedes E Reliability Trend

Newer Mercedes Es pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2020 Mercedes E

At 6 years old, the Mercedes E offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. With 14,944 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Medium risk

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2020 Mercedes E stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mercedes E(2020)	90%	£1,397	£200	Grp 18-32	£1,852
Volkswagen Golf(2018)	92%	£1,397	£200	Grp 18-32	£1,852same
Ford Focus(2019)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824-£28
Mercedes A(2019)	91%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,674-£178
Mercedes A-Class(2018)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824-£28

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2020 Mercedes E

Is the 2020 Mercedes E reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of MOT tests on 2020 Mercedes Es ended in a pass, from 14,944 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2020 Mercedes E cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,852 a year (£154 a month): £1,397 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 Mercedes E?

90% of 14,944 MOT tests on the 2020 Mercedes E ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1716th of 2,554 models first registered in 2020 (bottom half).

Which year Mercedes E has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Mercedes E has the highest MOT pass rate at 92% and the 1997 the lowest at 77%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2020 Mercedes E?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2020 Mercedes E is 39,756 miles, which is above the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.