Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 249,532 MOT tests, around 44% of Mercedes-Benz E-Classes still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 38% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 18%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 85% diesel, 11% petrol. Diesel E-Classes are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Petrol E-Classes are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 44%
- Likely charged
- 38%
- Depends on the car
- 18%
- MOT tests analysed
- 249,532
Check a specific E-Class
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
E-Class ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many E-Classes of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid (diesel) | Hybrid (petrol) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Likely compliant57 tested | Likely compliant2 tested | Likely compliant219 tested | Likely compliant33 tested |
| 2021 | Likely compliant581 tested | Likely compliant28 tested | Likely compliant291 tested | Likely compliant97 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant7,516 tested | Likely compliant1,128 tested | Likely compliant1,328 tested | Likely compliant834 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant15,677 tested | Likely compliant4,053 tested | Likely compliant1,168 tested | Likely compliant1,059 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant17,940 tested | Likely compliant3,426 tested | – | Likely compliant575 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant21,138 tested | Likely compliant1,438 tested | – | Likely compliant765 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant20,684 tested | Likely compliant695 tested | Likely compliant14 tested | Likely compliant12 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car20,399 tested | Likely compliant1,108 tested | Check exact car623 tested | Likely compliant8 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car18,759 tested | Likely compliant1,120 tested | Check exact car1,071 tested | Likely compliant13 tested |
| 2013 | Likely charged17,807 tested | Likely compliant909 tested | Likely charged856 tested | Likely compliant26 tested |
| 2012 | Likely charged14,352 tested | Likely compliant874 tested | Likely charged62 tested | Likely compliant3 tested |
| 2011 | Likely charged13,348 tested | Likely compliant1,060 tested | – | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged10,894 tested | Likely compliant1,457 tested | – | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged6,974 tested | Likely compliant564 tested | – | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged4,538 tested | Likely compliant342 tested | – | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged5,707 tested | Likely compliant587 tested | – | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged3,671 tested | Likely compliant648 tested | – | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged4,161 tested | Check Euro standard820 tested | – | – |
| 2004 | Likely charged3,734 tested | Check Euro standard1,299 tested | – | – |
| 2003 | Likely charged2,527 tested | Check Euro standard1,217 tested | – | – |
| 2002 | Likely charged570 tested | Check Euro standard690 tested | – | – |
| 2001 | Likely charged324 tested | Check Euro standard559 tested | – | – |
| 2000 | Likely charged190 tested | Likely charged473 tested | – | – |
| 1999 | Likely charged166 tested | Likely charged435 tested | – | – |
| 1998 | Likely charged196 tested | Likely charged479 tested | – | – |
| 1997 | Likely charged90 tested | Likely charged291 tested | – | – |
| 1996 | Likely charged45 tested | Likely charged511 tested | – | – |
| 1995 | Likely charged94 tested | Likely charged743 tested | – | – |
| 1994 | Likely charged116 tested | Likely charged619 tested | – | – |
| 1993 | Likely charged12 tested | Likely charged184 tested | – | – |
| 1984 | Likely charged7 tested | Likely charged58 tested | – | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the E-Class
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (85% of E-Classes tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (11% of E-Classes tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Hybrid (diesel) (2% of E-Classes tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Hybrid (petrol) (1% of E-Classes tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
E-Classes from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (18% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Mercedes-Benz can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how E-Classes fare at the MOT too: see the Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class for London: what the MOT data shows
The Mercedes-Benz E-Classes in this data were first registered between 1984 and 2022. 2017 was the most common year, with 23,342 tests (9% of the total), and half were registered in 2014 or later.
E-Classes from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 84% of the time, at an average of 63,777 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 71% of the time with 113,060 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel E-Classes likely to comply are from 2016. 20,684 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 83% of the time and averaged 79,892 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol E-Classes likely to comply are from 2006. 648 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 68% of the time and averaged 133,086 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the E-Class's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (2.7% of tests) and "has ply or cords exposed" (2.3%); suspension: "ball joint excessively worn" (2.3%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 16.5% of tests.
Overall, 78% of E-Classes passed first time, noticeably above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 87,953 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Mercedes-Benz models
About this data
Based on 249,532 first MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 249,532 MOT tests say about the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and London's ULEZ.
Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 44% of E-Classes on the road are likely compliant and 38% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol E-Class years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol E-Classes first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel E-Class ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel E-Classes from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific E-Class is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 7 min readHow to read a car's MOT history before buying a used carThe MOT history is the only part of a used car's story the seller didn't write. A 10-minute method for reading it before you go to see the car.Read the guide
Is your E-Class ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.