2012 Mercedes-Benz E 2.1L Diesel · L40 AAP
2012 Mercedes-Benz E (2.1L, diesel). First registered 01/10/2012. Recorded mileage 212,508 miles. MOT status: Expired.
- Make & Model
- MERCEDES-BENZ E
- Year / Origin
- 2012 · Stanmore (Wimbledon)
- MOT Status
- Valid until 17/11/2023
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (10/06/2023)
- Recorded Mileage
- 212,508 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.1L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- DIESEL
- Year
- 2012
- Engine
- 2143cc
L40 AAP Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 17/11/2022
- 212,508 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
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.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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L40 AAP Mileage History
- 22/10/2021158,854 mi
- 07/11/2022210,623 mi+51,769 mi
- 17/11/2022212,508 mi+1,885 mi
Average of roughly 50,121 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
L40 AAP MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 2012 Mercedes-Benz E (L40 AAP) between October 2021 and November 2022.
The record contains 2 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 17 November 2022 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (6 issues), Windscreen (2 issues), Suspension (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 8 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Rear Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))”; “Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))”; “Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with extreme caution. This vehic
Prioritise a professional inspection of the rear sub-frame to ensure the previous corrosion repairs were comprehensive and not merely a temporary fix. Given the extreme mileage jump of over 50,000 miles between October 2021 and November 2022, request detailed service records to verify if oil and filter changes kept pace with such intense usage.
Negotiate the price heavily based on the high mileage and the likelihood of further suspension wear, which is a common failure point for this model. Ensure that any remaining windscreen damage noted in the MOT history is addressed, as this can lead to further cracking.
The 2143cc diesel engine is designed for efficiency over long distances, but maintenance costs typically rise as a vehicle surpasses 200,000 miles. You should budget for more frequent replacements of wear-and-tear items such as brake pads and suspension components, which are common failure points for this model aggregate.
Annual costs will be influenced by the vehicle's insurance group and the current diesel tax bracket. Given the age and mileage, expect higher-than-average maintenance spends to keep the vehicle roadworthy.
Closely inspect the offside rear sub-frame and both rear coil springs, as these were specific failure points in November 2022. Check for active oil leaks around the engine, as this was recorded as a persistent advisory in the most recent MOT test.
Examine the tread depth and condition of all four tyres, as multiple tyres were worn close to the legal limit in the 2022 records. Finally, check the windscreen for the damage mentioned in the MOT history to determine if a replacement is now necessary.
This 2012 black Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel has covered over 212,000 miles, significantly exceeding the model average. MOT records show a major failure in November 2022 involving broken coil springs and a seriously weakened offside rear sub-frame. While these were addressed for the subsequent pass, an oil leak and tyre wear remained noted as advisories.
The E-Class has an average MOT pass rate of 83.8%, with the most frequent failures relating to tyres and suspension arms.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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