Volkswagen Golf vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class: MOT reliability compared
Updated 05 September 2026.
20.5%
Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT failure rate, 4.2 pts lower than Volkswagen Golf
Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the more reliable MOT performer: 20.5% of Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOTs fail versus 24.7% for Volkswagen Golf, a 4.2 point gap.
| Metric | Volkswagen Golf | Mercedes-Benz E-Class |
|---|---|---|
| MOT failure rate | 24.7% | 20.5% |
| Tests analysed | 23,023,127 | 4,812,594 |
| Most common failure | Lamps & electrical (28.7%) | Tyres (31.0%) |
Questions and answers
Which is more reliable, Volkswagen Golf or Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the more reliable MOT performer: 20.5% of Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOTs fail versus 24.7% for Volkswagen Golf, a 4.2 point gap.
What is the MOT failure rate of the Volkswagen Golf?
24.7% of Volkswagen Golf MOT tests result in a failure, from 23,023,127 tests.
What is the MOT failure rate of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
20.5% of Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT tests result in a failure, from 4,812,594 tests.