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Mercedes-Benz2002–2023 Critical issues documented

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213: common faults & what to check

The W213 is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class built 2016 onward. It was sold here with the 2.0 turbo petrol, 2.0 diesel, and 3.0 turbo petrol. Of the 23 faults documented for the E-Class, 7 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

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23

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$1,200–$5,000

Typical repair

6

Systems covered

You're looking at the W213

3 engine variants are documented for this generation. Pick yours to narrow further, or keep reading for the generation as a whole.

Choose a different generation

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

A 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the W213 generation (2016 to now).

Start your free check on this Mercedes-Benz E-Class

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213Engine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the E-Class came with 3, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

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Can't confirm for this car

Mercedes-Benz E-Class · 2018

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

  • No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Worth checking

    Work through all screens, pair a phone, test the camera.

    See why

    MBUX / COMAND freezes and 48V EQ Boost faults (W213)

    Later W213s have widescreen digital displays that can freeze, reboot or lose CarPlay/camera, and the 2.0 EQ Boost mild-hybrid petrols add a 48-volt system whose integrated starter-generator and 48V battery can throw hybrid/electrical warnings and cause rough restarts. Screens are usually a software update; a genuine 48V ISG or battery fault is expensive. Verify everything electrical works before buying.

    What you would notice

    • Central/instrument screen freezes or reboots
    • '48V onboard electrical system' or hybrid warning
    • Rough or hesitant engine auto-restart (stop-start)
    • CarPlay/Android Auto or camera dropouts

    Typically $300–$6,000 to put right.

See all 7 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked, including 1 rated critical.
Electrical1

01MBUX / COMAND freezes and 48V EQ Boost faults (W213)

Work through all screens, pair a phone, test the camera.2016–2023Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $300–$6,000 to fix

Later W213s have widescreen digital displays that can freeze, reboot or lose CarPlay/camera, and the 2.0 EQ Boost mild-hybrid petrols add a 48-volt system whose integrated starter-generator and 48V battery can throw hybrid/electrical warnings and cause rough restarts. Screens are usually a software update; a genuine 48V ISG or battery fault is expensive. Verify everything electrical works before buying.

Symptoms to notice

  • Central/instrument screen freezes or reboots
  • '48V onboard electrical system' or hybrid warning
  • Rough or hesitant engine auto-restart (stop-start)
  • CarPlay/Android Auto or camera dropouts

What to check

Work through all screens, pair a phone, test the camera. On EQ Boost (mild-hybrid) cars, let stop-start cycle at lights and feel for rough restarts, and check no 48V/hybrid warning is present. Ask whether software updates and any 48V recalls have been done.

Where to look: Dashboard displays; 48V battery and integrated starter-generator on mild-hybrid petrols

Parts involved: Starter motor.

Ask the seller

  • “Has a 48V or hybrid-system warning ever appeared?”
  • “Are the infotainment updates and any 48V recalls done?”
Depends on the exact engine — 6 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.
Engine, transmission & cooling6

01M276 V6 timing chain tensioner & guide rail failure

Cold-start the engine and immediately listen for chain rattle from the front of the engine block.petrol2011 onwardEngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02OM654 2.0D AdBlue SCR dosing pump failure & NOx derate

Perform OBD2 scan for active or stored SCR and AdBlue system fault codes before purchase.diesel2016 onwardEngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

03M274 2.0T HPFP cam follower wear causing fuel pressure loss

Request written evidence of HPFP cam follower inspection or replacement in the service records.petrol2013 onwardEngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

04M264 2.0T Cold-Start Timing Chain Rattle

Cold-start the engine after an overnight soak and listen immediately for chain rattle.petrol2018 onwardEngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

05CDI 4-Cylinder Diesel DPF Blockage (OM651 and OM654)

Check dashboard for any DPF warning light history.diesel2009–2021EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

069G-Tronic mechatronic shudder and harsh shifts (W213)

2016–2023Transmission
OccasionalTransmission $1,200–$6,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The W213's 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic can develop mechatronic/valve-body faults that show as a shudder or vibration at light throttle (often mistaken for engine miss), harsh or hunting shifts, or stored codes like P073E/P07B7. Many cases are improved with a fluid service and software update, but a failed mechatronic unit is a costly repair. Regular fluid changes matter despite the 'lifetime' label.

Symptoms to notice

  • Shudder or vibration at light/steady throttle
  • Harsh, hunting or delayed shifts
  • Torque-converter lock-up judder around 40-80 km/h
  • Transmission fault codes / warning

What to check

On the test drive, hold a light steady throttle around town and on the motorway and feel for a shudder or vibration that comes and goes - a classic mechatronic/torque-converter symptom. Ask for transmission service history and whether any gearbox software updates were applied.

Where to look: 9-speed automatic transmission - mechatronic/valve body and torque converter

Parts involved: Mechatronic / valve body.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the transmission been serviced and any software updates applied?”
  • “Do you ever feel a shudder at steady speed?”
Other Mercedes-Benz E-Class engines and years16 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.
Engine, transmission & cooling8

01OM651 2.1D balance shaft chain failure & engine knock

Check oil for metallic contamination by draining a small sample and inspecting for particles.diesel2009–2016Engine
CommonEngine $8,000–$22,000 to fix

Does not apply

The OM651 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel engine has a well-documented failure of the balance shaft drive chain and its plastic chain guide. The chain stretches and the guide disintegrates, causing severe engine knock, loss of power, and in undetected cases complete engine seizure. The failure is often sudden and catastrophic, with plastic debris from the guide entering the engine oil and accelerating main and big-end bearing wear. Mercedes issued extended warranty coverage and recall campaigns in several markets. Full repair requires engine removal and disassembly, making it one of the most expensive diesel repair events on this platform. Early production examples from 2009-2012 are at highest risk.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Loud knocking or rattling from engine particularly at idle or low revs
  • Sudden loss of power accompanied by engine warning lights
  • Severe vibration and rough running not consistent with normal diesel character
  • Metallic or plastic debris visible on oil dipstick or in drained oil
  • Engine stalls and refuses to restart in catastrophic failure

What to check

  1. Check oil for metallic contamination by draining a small sample and inspecting for particles.
  2. Listen carefully for any knocking at idle with the bonnet open.
  3. Pull all service records and confirm oil changes no more than every 10,000 km with correct low-SAPS diesel oil.
  4. Scan for crankshaft and camshaft correlation fault codes.
  5. Ask if the engine has had the balance shaft chain inspection or Mercedes campaign work.

Where to look: Lower engine block, balance shaft module, front timing cover assembly

Parts involved: Timing chain.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the balance shaft chain or guide been replaced or inspected under the Mercedes recall?”
  • “Any engine knock, vibration, or rattling ever reported to a workshop?”
  • “Oil changes performed at correct intervals and specification throughout ownership?”
  • “Any Mercedes extended warranty or goodwill work carried out on this engine?”

02W211 M272/M273 V6/V8 Balance Shaft Sprocket Plastic Tooth Failure

This is the highest priority check on any W211 petrol.petrol2004–2007EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

03M271 1.8T Timing Chain Stretch and Guide Rail Failure

Start the car cold and listen for chain rattle in the first 30 seconds.petrol2009–2013EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

047G-Tronic (722.9) Valve Body Solenoid Wear

Test drive and note shift quality both from cold and when warm.2009–2016TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

05W212 7G-Tronic (722.9) Conductor Plate Failure and Limp Mode

Full test drive covering all gear changes including kickdown.2009–2013TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

06OM651 diesel timing chain stretch (W212)

Insist on a genuine cold start and listen at the front of the engine for a chain rattle.diesel2009–2016EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

07OM651 injector seal failure - 'black death' (W212)

With the engine running, open the bonnet and listen for a rhythmic chuffing/ticking at the top of the engine.diesel2009–2016Engine
CommonEngine $1,500–$4,000 to fix

Does not apply

The OM651's injector copper sealing washers harden and fail, letting combustion gases and soot escape around the injector and bake into a black, tarry crust - the well-known diesel 'black death'. Early piezo injectors on pre-2012 cars are the most affected. Caught early it is a seal-and-clean job; left long, the injector can seize into the head and turn a routine fix into a big one.

A single common-rail diesel fuel injector photographed against a plain background.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A common-rail diesel injector. Contamination damages the nozzle at the tip.

Panoha · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Diesel 'chuffing' or ticking that changes with revs
  • Black tarry crust around an injector base
  • Rough idle, misfire or hard starting
  • Diesel smell in the cabin

What to check

With the engine running, open the bonnet and listen for a rhythmic chuffing/ticking at the top of the engine. If you can see the injectors, look for black tar or crustiness around their bases. A diesel smell inside is a related warning.

Where to look: Top of the engine at the injector bases in the cylinder head

Parts involved: Fuel injector.

Ask the seller

  • “Have the injectors or their seals ever been done?”
  • “Is there any diesel knock or chuffing at idle?”

087G-Tronic (722.9) conductor plate / valve body faults (W212)

Drive through the full gear range and feel for harsh, slurring or delayed changes.2009–2016Transmission
OccasionalTransmission $900–$3,000 to fix

Does not apply

The W212's 7-speed 722.9 automatic can suffer wear in its internal conductor plate and valve body, giving harsh or delayed shifts, occasional limp mode, or gear-selector faults. Neglected fluid accelerates it - the 'lifetime' fill should really be changed around 100,000 km. A conductor plate or valve body is repairable at an independent for far less than a dealer rebuild, but check for it.

Symptoms to notice

  • Harsh or delayed shifts
  • Occasional limp mode (stuck in one gear)
  • Flaring revs between shifts
  • Transmission fault message

What to check

  1. Drive through the full gear range and feel for harsh, slurring or delayed changes.
  2. Ask for proof of a transmission service.
  3. Any gearbox warning or limp-mode event should knock the price or end the deal.

Where to look: Automatic transmission - internal conductor plate/valve body

Parts involved: Mechatronic / valve body.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the transmission fluid and filter ever been changed?”
  • “Has it ever gone into limp mode or thrown a gearbox fault?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior8

01W211 Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) unit fault, brake recalls PRA 2004/7037 and 2005/7815

Switch on the ignition and watch for any brake, SBC or 'visit workshop' messages.2002–2006Brakes
OccasionalBrakes $0–$5,500 to fix

Does not apply

Pre-facelift W211 E-Class cars (all engines, including the E500 5.0 V8) use Sensotronic Brake Control, an electronic brake-by-wire unit made by Bosch. Faults in the SBC unit can drop the car into its hydraulic back-up mode with a dash warning, where the pedal goes hard and stopping distances grow. Mercedes ran two Australian recalls (PRA 2004/7037 and PRA 2005/7815) and later extended SBC warranty cover in many markets, so ask a Mercedes dealer what still applies to the VIN. Out of cover, a replacement SBC hydraulic unit is expensive.

Symptoms to notice

  • SBC or brake warning message on the dash
  • Hard brake pedal with longer stopping distance
  • Brake hold or hill hold feature not working
  • Buzzing or pump noise from the brake unit when a door is opened

What to check

Switch on the ignition and watch for any brake, SBC or 'visit workshop' messages. Open the driver door before starting and listen for the normal short pump whirr, then test drive and brake firmly from about 50 km/h to check the pedal feels normal and the car stops straight. Ask for the service book and any paperwork showing the SBC recalls were done or the SBC unit was replaced. If a workshop inspection is possible: have a Mercedes specialist read the SBC fault memory and the pump activation counter with a diagnostic tool and check open recall status by VIN.

Where to look: Engine bay, SBC hydraulic unit on the driver side near the brake fluid reservoir

Ask the seller

  • “Have the SBC brake recalls been done on this car?”
  • “Has the SBC brake unit ever been replaced?”
  • “Has any brake or SBC warning ever come up?”

02Sensotronic (SBC) electro-hydraulic brake failure (W211)

Turn the ignition on and watch for any SBC/brake warning.2002–2009BrakesRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

03W211 sedan sunroof glass panel can detach, recalls RC2752, RC2888 and RC3110

Check if the car has a glass sunroof or panoramic roof.2002–2009Body & Rust
RareBody & Rust $0–$1,500 to fix

Does not apply

On W211 E-Class sedans fitted with a glass sunroof or panoramic roof, the adhesive holding the glass panel can deteriorate with age and the glass can come away from the car. Mercedes-Benz Australia issued recalls RC2752 (2020), RC2888 (2021) and RC3110 (2023, panoramic roof option 414) to inspect and repair affected roofs free of charge. Cars without a sunroof are not affected.

Symptoms to notice

  • Wind noise or rattling from the sunroof glass
  • Glass panel sitting unevenly or lifting at an edge
  • Visible gap or perished bonding around the glass

What to check

  1. Check if the car has a glass sunroof or panoramic roof.
  2. Look along all edges of the glass for uneven gaps, lifting or perished sealant, press gently on the panel edges and listen for rattles or wind noise on a test drive at open-road speed.
  3. Ask for paperwork showing the sunroof recall was completed.
  4. If a workshop inspection is possible: have a Mercedes dealer check open recall status by VIN.

Where to look: Roof, sunroof or panoramic glass panel

Ask the seller

  • “Has the sunroof recall been done?”
  • “Has the sunroof glass ever been reglued or replaced?”

04W211/W212 Airmatic Air Suspension Compressor and Strut Failure

Check ride height at all four corners before starting the vehicle.2002–2016SuspensionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

05Rust at wheel arches, boot lid and subframe (W211)

Walk all four arches and the boot lid looking for bubbling paint.2002–2009Body & RustRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

06W211 Rear Wheel Arch and Lower Sill Structural Rust

Inspect the full perimeter of both rear wheel arches including the inner arch surface.2002–2009Body & RustRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

07W212 Rear Wheel Arch Inner Seam Rust (Early Production)

Inspect both rear wheel arches from inside the wheel well using a torch.2009–2014Body & Rust
OccasionalBody & Rust $800–$3,500 to fix

Does not apply

Early W212 E-Class vehicles with build dates from 2009 to 2013 suffered from a documented galvanisation gap in the rear wheel arch inner lip and the lower C-pillar panel junction. Moisture traps in this area cause rust perforation from the inside outward, often invisible until structurally significant. The issue was flagged by European owner clubs and Australian consumer forums. Later production corrected the panel seam. Affected cars that have been driven near the coast or stored in humid conditions are most at risk. Corresponds to NZ and AU arrival years roughly 2009 to 2014 including JDM imports.

Symptoms to notice

  • Bubbling or blistering paint at rear wheel arch outer lip
  • Rust weeping visible at the inner arch seam
  • Soft or perforated metal when pressed at arch edge

What to check

  1. Inspect both rear wheel arches from inside the wheel well using a torch.
  2. Look at the inner arch lip, the seam between inner and outer arch panel, and the lower C-pillar.
  3. Check for paint bubbling on the outer surface.
  4. Press gently on the lower arch lip — any give indicates perforation.
  5. Compare both sides.

Where to look: Rear wheel arches, inner arch lip seam and lower C-pillar junction, both sides

Parts involved: Body corrosion.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the car had any rust treatment or panel work on the rear arches?”
  • “Has the car lived near the coast or been used on salted roads?”
  • “Has the car had any independent pre-purchase rust inspection?”

08Airmatic air suspension leaks and sagging (W211)

If the car has Airmatic, ideally see it after it has stood overnight - it should sit level, not with a low corner.2002–2009Suspension
CommonSuspension $900–$3,500 to fix

Does not apply

W211s fitted with the optional Airmatic air suspension develop leaks in the air struts and can suffer compressor failure. A car that sits level when driven but sags on one corner after standing overnight is the classic sign. Replacement struts and the compressor are expensive, so an Airmatic car that has been neglected can be a money pit; many owners convert to coils.

Symptoms to notice

  • One or more corners sagging after standing overnight
  • Car takes a long time to rise on start-up
  • 'Airmatic - Visit Workshop' message
  • Compressor running constantly or not at all

What to check

If the car has Airmatic, ideally see it after it has stood overnight - it should sit level, not with a low corner. On start-up it should raise promptly and hold height. Listen for the compressor labouring. A sagging corner or an Airmatic warning means budget for repair.

Where to look: Air struts at each corner and the compressor (usually front of the car)

Parts involved: Air suspension strut.

Ask the seller

  • “Does it sit level after standing overnight?”
  • “Have any air struts or the compressor been replaced?”

Mercedes-Benz E-Class faults in detail

Narrowed to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class · 2018. Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

CDI 4-Cylinder Diesel DPF Blockage (OM651 and OM654)Major · EngineM264 2.0T Cold-Start Timing Chain RattleMajor · EngineM274 2.0T HPFP cam follower wear causing fuel pressure lossMajor · EngineM276 V6 timing chain tensioner & guide rail failureCritical · EngineOM654 2.0D AdBlue SCR dosing pump failure & NOx derateMajor · Engine

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Mercedes-Benz C-Class41 documented faultsMercedes-Benz A-Class23 documented faultsMercedes-Benz GLA21 documented faultsMercedes-Benz S-Class20 documented faultsMercedes-Benz GLC17 documented faultsMercedes-Benz Vito16 documented faults

Mercedes-Benz E-Class buyer questions

Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 23 documented faults for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the recurring problem areas are engine, brakes, and body & rust. A Mercedes-Benz E-Class with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

We've catalogued 23 known faults for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, covering engine, brakes, and body & rust. All 23 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

Most single repairs on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class fall between $1,200–$5,000 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 23 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

Yes. A Mercedes-Benz E-Class inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.