1997 Mercedes-Benz E 3.0L Diesel · R263 BCV
1997 Mercedes-Benz E (3.0L, diesel). First registered 04 Sept 1997. Recorded mileage 184,918 miles. MOT status: Failed.
- Make & Model
- MERCEDES-BENZ E
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Failed
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 184,918 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 3.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Archived Record
Registration no longer recorded by DVLA. This usually means the vehicle is now using a private plate.
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
R263 BCV Key Findings
- 1 MOT test recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 03/04/2025
- 184,918 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R263 BCV MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
1 MOT test are recorded for this 1997 Mercedes-Benz E (R263 BCV) between April 2025 and April 2025.
The record contains 0 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 03 April 2025 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
Known faults for Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210)
Our database tracks 6 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (R263 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as R263BCV.
VAUXHALL
CORSA
HONDA
CBR900RR
SUZUKI
GSF600
VAUXHALL
CORSA
KAWASAKI
ZX-6R
YAMAHA
YZF600
SUZUKI
VITARA
ROVER
214
FORD
TRANSIT 190 LWB
NISSAN
PEUGEOT
BOXER
LAND ROVER
DEFENDER
MERCEDES-BENZ E Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1997 model year cars.
- Severe RustSerious
The W210 generation is notorious for catastrophic corrosion due to Mercedes-Benz adopting water-based eco paints alongside inadequate factory anti-corrosion primer in the mid-1990s. Front spring perches, wheel arches, sill jacking points, door bottoms under rubber weatherstrips, and boot lock apertures suffer severe structural perforation.
- 722.6 Conductor Plate FailureModerate
The 5-speed 722.6 electronic automatic gearbox suffers from failed speed sensors on the internal plastic electro-hydraulic conductor plate. Furthermore, the 13-pin transmission wiring plug pilot bushing O-rings degrade, allowing ATF to wick up the wiring loom straight into the transmission control module in the passenger footwell.
- Front Suspension Upper Spring Perch DetachmentSerious
A lethal structural safety flaw on the W210 chassis is rust developing between the inner wheel arch panel and the spot-welded front upper coil spring perch cup. Severe hidden corrosion causes the welds to tear away completely, resulting in sudden suspension collapse and tyre rubbing.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.