Is the 2021 MERCEDES E reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of MERCEDES Es from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 4,602 tests. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2021 MERCEDES E cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,487 (£124/month), including £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 MERCEDES E?

The 2021 MERCEDES E has a 92% MOT pass rate based on 4,602 tests in 2026. This ranks 1802 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

Which year MERCEDES E is most reliable?

The 2022 MERCEDES E has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 77%.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 MERCEDES E?

The average mileage for a 2021 MERCEDES E is 34,724 miles, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

MERCEDES E (2021)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 4,602 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,487

£124/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1950cc Diesel

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £1487/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Diesel1950cc5 years old4,602 tests35k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1950cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,487

Per month£124/mo

Per week£29/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 5 years old, 92% of MERCEDES Es from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 4,602 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 34,724 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars1802th of 3,373(top 53%)

Rank among MERCEDES models453th of 1,408(top 32%)

vs national average+10%(82% avg)

vs 2021 cars average+0%(92% avg)

vs MERCEDES average+5%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

34,724

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 MERCEDES E has 34,724 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 77%. The 2021 sits between the two at 92%.

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

FORD FOCUS

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

-3%

MERCEDES A

2019 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,350/year

91%

-1%

FORD KUGA

2019 · 1997cc Diesel

£1,482/year

91%

-1%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2019 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

-3%

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About the 2021 MERCEDES E

The 2021 MERCEDES E is a family car with a 1950cc diesel engine. 4,602 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 34,724 miles at 5 years old, MERCEDES E owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 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 £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (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 2021 MERCEDES E?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,487 (£124/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

MERCEDES E Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES Es show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2021 MERCEDES E

At 5 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 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 96%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 MERCEDES E's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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

Low risk

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 2021 MERCEDES E stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES E(2021)	92%	£1037	£195	Grp 18-32	£1487
FORD FOCUS(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£13
MERCEDES A(2019)	91%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1350-£137
FORD KUGA(2019)	91%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1482-£5
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£13

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.