Known APK problem

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212: brakes

On the Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212 the APK inspector finds brakes problems 2.1× as often as on cars of the same age: at 5–6 years 3.8%, against about 1.8% nationally.

Illustration Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212

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

What is it?

Worn or rusted brake discs and pads, or uneven braking.

Repair indication: mediuma targeted repair at the garage.

How to check it at the viewing

Look through the wheel at the discs: no deep grooves or thick rust edge. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stay straight.

Ask the seller: When were the brake discs and pads last 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	1.5%	0.7 – 3.1%	0.7%	2.1×	462
5 – 6 years	B	0.5%	0.2 – 1.2%	1.3%	0.4×	1,002
5 – 6 years	C	3.8%	2.8 – 5.2%	1.8%	2.1×	1,002
7 – 8 years	A	0.3%	0.2 – 0.7%	1.0%	0.3×	2,177
7 – 8 years	B	0.8%	0.5 – 1.2%	1.6%	0.5×	2,177
7 – 8 years	C	3.3%	2.6 – 4.1%	2.5%	1.3×	2,177
9 – 10 years	A	1.4%	1.0 – 1.9%	1.7%	0.8×	2,681
9 – 10 years	B	0.8%	0.5 – 1.2%	1.6%	0.5×	2,681
9 – 10 years	C	3.8%	3.2 – 4.6%	2.7%	1.4×	2,681
11 – 12 years	A	3.1%	2.5 – 3.8%	2.8%	1.1×	2,572
11 – 12 years	B	1.1%	0.8 – 1.6%	1.8%	0.6×	2,572
11 – 12 years	C	3.3%	2.6 – 4.0%	2.8%	1.2×	2,572
13 – 15 years	A	2.7%	2.2 – 3.1%	3.9%	0.7×	4,822
13 – 15 years	B	1.0%	0.7 – 1.3%	2.0%	0.5×	4,822
13 – 15 years	C	3.6%	3.1 – 4.2%	3.0%	1.2×	4,822
16+ years	A	2.7%	2.1 – 3.5%	6.8%	0.4×	1,917
16+ years	B	1.1%	0.7 – 1.7%	2.2%	0.5×	1,917
16+ years	C	2.8%	2.2 – 3.7%	3.1%	0.9×	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.

Comparable cars at 5–6 years

Model	Brakes	Vs. national
Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212	3.8%	2.1×
MINI Mini Cabrio F57	1.1%	0.6×
BMW i i3	0.4%	0.3×

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 · Brakes: which models more often · Checklist for this model

Frequently asked questions

Does the Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212 often have brakes problems?

Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 5–6 years the inspector found a brakes defect on 3.8% of inspected Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212s, against about 1.8% of all cars of the same age (2.1×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

How do you check the brakes on a used Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212?

Look through the wheel at the discs: no deep grooves or thick rust edge. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stay straight.

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