2013 Mercedes-Benz E 2.1L Diesel · HB02 CMB

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 26 August 2025 at 71,797 miles, passed but flagged a recurring and worsening braking concern. The tester noted a low rear parking brake reading and a pedal failing to return to its rest position, alongside corroded brake pipes at both the nearside rear and offside front, obscured by grease or material near the hoses. This is not a new problem. The same rear parking brake low readings appeared in the August 2024 and August 2023 tests, while corroded front brake pipes were flagged in 2024 as well. The trend is stable but persistent. A corroded brake pipe covered in grease is a classic masking issue; the corrosion was likely present before the covering was applied, and the condition has not been rectified, merely noted annually. The parking brake fault remains unresolved across three consecutive tests. The mileage profile is notably low for a 13-year-old vehicle. Recorded at 71,797 miles in August 2025, the annual average sits at roughly 5,523 miles. The progression is steady but sparse: 57,497 miles in August 2021, 64,159 in August 2022, 67,717 in August 2023, 69,988 in August 2024, and 71,797 in August 2025. Each year adds between 1,800 and 4,000 miles. There are no alarming gaps or sudden accumulations. The record is clean and consistent, suggesting light, regular use rather than long periods of inactivity that can cause its own issues like dried seals or flat-spotted tyres. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the braking system and underbody corrosion. The repeated advisories on corroded brake pipes, particularly where grease or material has been applied near the hoses, warrant close scrutiny. Have a technician examine the full length of the metal brake lines for pitting, flaking, or fresh coatings that may be hiding deterioration. The rear parking brake fault, present across multiple tests, suggests a binding caliper, a stretched or seized cable, or an issue with the drum or disc parking brake assembly. Test the parking brake function on a slope and check for uneven wear or heat at the rear wheels after a short drive. Inspect the rear brake components for dragging, which would also explain the uneven rear tyre wear flagged in the 2021 test. Beyond the brakes, the low mileage and age combination means rubber components deserve attention. Suspension bushes, engine mounts, and coolant hoses can perish from age rather than use. Check for perishing, cracking, or play at the front and rear suspension, particularly the lower arms and anti-roll bar links common on this platform. The exhaust system should be inspected for corrosion at joints and flexi-pipes, and a fluid inspection of the gearbox and differential oil is advisable given the modest annual mileage. The MOT record shows no structural or emissions failures, which is reassuring, but the unresolved braking faults and masked corrosion indicate a vehicle that has been tested and passed with known defects rather than properly repaired. Budget for a thorough brake service and pipe replacement before considering the car reliably roadworthy.