Known APK problem

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212: control arms / ball joints

On the Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212 the APK inspector finds control arms / ball joints problems 13.1× as often as on cars of the same age: at 7–8 years 11.5%, against about 0.9% nationally.

Illustration Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

What is it?

Worn bushes or ball joints in the suspension.

Repair indication: mediuma targeted repair at the garage.

How to check it at the viewing

Listen for clunks or knocks over speed bumps on the test drive. The car should not wander when braking.

Ask the seller: Have the control arms or ball joints been replaced?

By age

Share of inspected Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.

Age	Type	E-Klasse W212/S212	95%-CI	National	Difference	n
3 – 4 years	C	1.1%	0.5 – 2.5%	0.4%	2.8×	462
5 – 6 years	A	2.2%	1.5 – 3.3%	0.3%	6.8×	1,002
5 – 6 years	C	9.8%	8.1 – 11.8%	0.9%	11.4×	1,002
7 – 8 years	A	3.0%	2.4 – 3.8%	0.5%	6.1×	2,177
7 – 8 years	B	0.4%	0.2 – 0.7%	0.4%	1.0×	2,177
7 – 8 years	C	11.5%	10.3 – 12.9%	0.9%	13.1×	2,177
9 – 10 years	A	2.6%	2.1 – 3.3%	0.9%	3.0×	2,681
9 – 10 years	B	0.4%	0.3 – 0.8%	0.6%	0.7×	2,681
9 – 10 years	C	9.5%	8.5 – 10.7%	1.1%	8.6×	2,681
11 – 12 years	A	0.5%	0.3 – 0.8%	1.3%	0.4×	2,572
11 – 12 years	C	2.0%	1.5 – 2.6%	1.3%	1.6×	2,572
13 – 15 years	A	0.7%	0.5 – 1.0%	1.7%	0.4×	4,822
13 – 15 years	B	0.2%	0.1 – 0.4%	1.0%	0.2×	4,822
13 – 15 years	C	2.1%	1.7 – 2.6%	1.9%	1.1×	4,822
16+ years	A	1.7%	1.2 – 2.4%	2.8%	0.6×	1,917
16+ years	B	0.7%	0.4 – 1.2%	1.7%	0.4×	1,917
16+ years	C	3.4%	2.7 – 4.3%	4.3%	0.8×	1,917

A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212s of the same age.

All weak spots of the Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212 · Control arms / ball joints: which models more often · Checklist for this model

Frequently asked questions

Does the Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212 often have control arms / ball joints problems?

Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 7–8 years the inspector found a control arms / ball joints defect on 11.5% of inspected Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212s, against about 0.9% of all cars of the same age (13.1×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

How do you check the control arms / ball joints on a used Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212?

Listen for clunks or knocks over speed bumps on the test drive. The car should not wander when braking.

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know