Known APK problem
Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212: warning lights
On the Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212 the APK inspector finds warning lights problems 3.6× as often as on cars of the same age: at 9–10 years 11.5%, against about 3.2% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
A warning light that stays on (for example ABS, airbag or engine fault) points to a fault that has to be read out first.
How to check it at the viewing
Switch on the ignition: all lights come on briefly and go out after starting. If one stays on, ask about the cause.
Ask the seller: Does a warning light ever come on, and has the fault been read out?
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 | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 – 8 years | B | 1.7% | 0.4% | 4.5× |
| 7 – 8 years | C | 6.1% | 1.0% | 6.4× |
| 9 – 10 years | B | 0.6% | 0.2% | 3.5× |
| 9 – 10 years | C | 11.5% | 3.2% | 3.6× |
| 11 – 12 years | C | 4.5% | 2.5% | 1.8× |
| 13 – 15 years | C | 2.6% | 2.4% | 1.1× |
| 16+ years | C | 1.9% | 6.3% | 0.3× |
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 9–10 years
| Model | Warning lights | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212 | 11.5% | 3.6× |
| Toyota Prius III | 0.5% | 3.0× |
| BMW i i3 | 1.7% | 0.5× |
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 · Warning lights: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212 often have warning lights problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 9–10 years the inspector found a warning lights defect on 11.5% of inspected Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212s, against about 3.2% of all cars of the same age (3.6×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the warning lights on a used Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212?
Switch on the ignition: all lights come on briefly and go out after starting. If one stays on, ask about the cause.
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