Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars for sale

Originally sold as the W124, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class adopted its current name in 1993 and entered its sixth generation in 2023. It arguably set the standard for the executive car segment, providing not only a refined experience but dynamic performance and impressive reliability too. The Mk5 edition, which was on sale from 2016–2023, received a slew of awards, including Car of the Year at the UK Car of the Year Awards 2017, and Executive Car of the Year at the Auto Express Awards in 2020.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class updates and facelifts

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class stands against rivals such as the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Lexus ES, offering buyers a wide choice of body styles, engine options and trim levels. The Mk5 saloon launched in early 2016 with an estate version arriving later in the year, followed by cabriolet and coupé variants in 2017. An AMG option was added in 2018 for all body styles, allowing drivers to enjoy enhanced performance. Mild hybrid technology was added to most of the engines during the facelift in 2020.

Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class buyers have a choice of petrol, diesel and hybrid fuel types, and trims have come and gone over the years. The Mk5 is offered in three trims – the SE, AMG Line and Premium Plus.

Practicality and style of the car

Step into the comfortable cabin and you’ll soon feel at home. The saloon and estate both seat five passengers with ease, providing enough head, shoulder and legroom even for three tall adults in the rear.

Boot space in the saloon is generous too, with 540 litres on offer with all the seats in place – that’s more than both the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series saloons. The estate, meanwhile, provides a maximum of 1,820 litres, which is significantly more than the 5 Series’ offering of 1,700 litres. Choose a hybrid and the battery pack’s location impacts space slightly, but still leaves plenty of room for groceries, lightweight buggies and more. You’ll get 400 litres with all seats in place in the hybrid saloon.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class may be a luxury vehicle but is also a very respectable tow car, able to haul a braked capacity of up to 1,800kg with the 220d engine.

Running costs

Insurance premiums for the E-Class Saloon vary widely according to engine and trim. Choose an AMG or higher spec AMG Line variant and you’re looking at insurance groups 40–47 out of 50. However, some models incur more modest premiums, with the E200d SE trim sitting in groups 28–31. Choose a coupé or cabriolet and the E-Class occupies groups 35–48.

Your road tax bill will depend on the year your chosen Mercedes-Benz E-Class was made. Models manufactured before April 2017 have rates of between £20 and £180 per year depending on emissions, while models produced after that incur a five-year £570 rate from the second year the vehicle is taxed. After that, charges drop to the standard £180 per year.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class requires regular servicing to keep it performing at its best, and buyers are encouraged to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule.

How a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class drives

A host of engine options means you’re sure to find the perfect E-Class for your driving preferences. The diesel range kicks off with the E220d, a 2.0-litre unit that produces 148bhp, and is available with all body styles. This can reach 62mph in as little as 7.3 seconds and returns a peak efficiency of 72mpg.

The more powerful E350d – a 3.0-litre V6 engine with an output of 254bhp – is also available with all trims. This achieves a combined fuel economy of 48.7–54.3mpg depending on model variant and can go from 0-62mph in just 5.9 seconds. Both these engines are paired with front or 4MATIC four-wheel drive in the saloon and estate iterations, giving used car buyers the option of more traction.

Later on, the 350d was replaced by the 400d which shared the 3.0-litre V6 engine and improved its acceleration, achieving 0-62mph in an impressive 4.9 seconds. Despite its power output of 335bhp, the 400d is a reasonably economical option, offering a combined efficiency of 47mpg.

Those who prefer petrol have a choice between the entry-level E200 2.0-litre turbo engine with 181bhp or the punchy E450, a 3.0-litre V6 unit developing 362bhp. Choose the former for optimal fuel economy, which reaches a combined 32.1mpg, or the latter for thrilling performance and a 0-62mph time of just 5.0 seconds.

In addition to these, three plug-in hybrids are on offer. Petrol electric options include the E300 e, which combines the 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor to produce a combined 232bhp, and the E350 e, which boosts power to 295bhp. The diesel-hybrid E300 de, meanwhile, has an output of 222bhp.

Whichever engine you choose, it’s paired with a nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard, which delivers seamless gear shifts for smooth power delivery. There is no manual option.

If you’re looking for ultimate performance, the AMG E-Class will satisfy even the wildest of dreamers. Offering a choice between a 3.0-litre V6 producing 429bhp and a 4.0-litre V8 with outputs of 563bhp or 603bhp, this breathtaking vehicle is a true sports car, able to get from 0-62mph in as little as 3.4 seconds. The V6 can be selected with any body style, while the higher-powered option is only available with saloon and estate variants.

Engines and official MPG

Please refer to the table below for a comprehensive list of engines and their official mpg figures.

2009 - 2016

2016 - onwards

Features you can expect in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Interior

Everything about the Mercedes-Benz E-Class exudes quality. From the clean, minimalist dash and centre console to the outstanding fit and finish and luxurious materials, this is a model that ensures every journey is a pleasure.

The saloon and estate versions can seat five adults with ease, while the coupé and cabriolet are better suited to four. Whichever meets your needs, all occupants will be comfortable, with plenty of head, shoulder and legroom. You’ll get a generous level of storage too, with a glove box, door pockets and multiple cubbies providing room for water bottles, smartphones and other belongings.

Technology

When the E-Class was revised in 2020, all variants incorporated two 10.25-inch screens as standard – one for the instrument cluster and one for the MBUX infotainment system. This can be operated with the COMAND rotary control system, or in newer versions, with voice control. DAB radio and navigation feature on all trims, as do comfort measures such as leather upholstery and heated front seats. Upgraded trims bring a 12.3-inch colour display, as well as a premium Burmester surround sound system, complete with 13 speakers.

Providing a dynamic and responsive drive are systems such as Dynamic Select, which enable you to adjust various parameters for the ride you prefer. Choose from Eco, Comfort, Sport and more. Meanwhile, the Agility Control suspension automatically adapts to road conditions and your driving style to deliver enhanced comfort and stability. Some variants come with 4MATIC four-wheel drive for even greater stability on challenging roads.

Safety

The E-Class has been fitted with an impressive array of measures to keep you and your family safe. Scoring a maximum five stars in its Euro NCAP tests in 2016, this sophisticated model is equipped with everything from front, side and curtain airbags to Autonomous Emergency Braking and Blind Spot Assist. The former is designed to identify collision threats and help to prevent an accident, while the latter detects vehicles in your blind spot and alerts you to their presence.

Trims available on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

There are three main trims available for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, while AMG models have their own unique specification which includes upgraded suspension and additional driving modes. Select from:

Mercedes-Benz E-Class SE

The entry-level SE trim comes with a host of advanced features to make every drive effortless, including LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. You’ll also get 17-inch alloy wheels (or 18-inch on the SE Hybrid), as well as leather upholstery and heated front seats.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG Line

Upgrade to the AMG Line edition for 19-inch alloy wheels, AMG body kit and Artico man-made leather upholstery. This variant also comes with the COMAND Online system with internet access and a 12.3-inch colour display.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Premium Plus

The top-spec Premium Plus leaves nothing out, offering stylish features such as 20-inch alloy wheels, gloss black exterior trim and a panoramic glass sunroof. Inside is a 13-speaker Burmester surround sound system for the ultimate in entertainment.

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