Which used Mercedes E-Class should you buy?

The Mercedes E-Class is a premium car that, like rival models such as the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, will be very appealing if you value comfort, a classy interior and a prestige badge.

An overwhelming majority of used Mercedes E-Class examples you’ll find for sale will be diesels.

When the Mercedes E-Class was facelifted, these diesels (along with the rest of the car’s engine options) were made even more efficient when mild hybrid tech was rolled out across the range.

If diesel isn’t your cup of tea, there are some petrol and plug-in hybrid models available, too, but do be aware the selection won’t be anywhere near as big.

Likewise, most of the Mercedes E-Class models you’ll find listed for sale will be the conventional saloon. However, while not as common in comparison, you will be able to find a used Mercedes E-Class in a range of different bodystyles, ranging from more spacious Mercedes E-Class Estates to rakish Mercedes E-Class Coupes and a drop-top Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet.

You may even find one of the rugged Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain cars, which act as a sort of bridge between the Mercedes E-Class and higher-riding upmarket SUVs like the Mercedes GLE.

What used Mercedes E-Class trim levels are available?

Even though this is a comfort-oriented car, the range-topping sporty Mercedes E-Class AMG Line trim has proven to be quite popular, so expect to find a decent selection when browsing the used listings.

However, if you’re not so fussed about the more aggressive styling, the entry-level Mercedes E-Class SE and Mercedes E-Class Sport trims are worth considering, as they still look classy inside and out, and are pretty well equipped.

Of course, the exact spec of the Mercedes E-Class you’re looking at can depend not just on its trim level, but also the upgrade packages it’s equipped with.

Even the age of the car can dictate which mod cons are at your disposal: for instance, entry-level post-2020 facelift cars came as standard with a larger touchscreen and more safety kit than the pre-facelift models. 

Mercedes E-Class SE/ SE Premium / SE Premium Plus

Until it was dropped from the range as part of the mid-life facelift in 2020, the Mercedes E-Class SE trim was the entry-level spec. As the list below shows, standard kit was generous. The car was also available in Mercedes E-Class SE Premium and Mercedes E-Class SE Premium Plus specs, which fleshed out the equipment even further. 

• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Automatic air-conditioning
• Front heated seats
• LED headlights
• 8.4-inch touchscreen
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 18-inch alloy wheels (plug-in hybrids and the E350d/E400d diesels)
• Push button start (SE Premium models)
• Panoramic sunroof (SE Premium models)
• LED headlights (SE Premium Plus models)
• Upgraded sound system (SE Premium Plus models)

Mercedes E-Class Sport

When the Mercedes E-Class SE trim was dropped, it was replaced with the Mercedes E-Class Sport spec. Much of the equipment was carried over from the old Mercedes E-Class SE grade, but a few extra features were added. 

• Heated front seats
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Automatic air-conditioning
• Reversing camera
• 12.3-inch driver’s instrument display
• 12.3-inch centre console touchscreen
• Wireless charging tray for smartphones
• Blind spot monitoring safety assist

Mercedes E-Class AMG Line / AMG Line Premium

If you’d prefer your car to have a slightly sportier look and feel, then the Mercedes E-Class AMG Line versions will likely offer what you’re looking for. This spec was also available with a Mercedes E-Class AMG Line Premium derivative, which introduced more features.

• Restyled bumpers
• AMG-designed alloy wheels
• Multi-beam LED headlights
• Rear privacy glass
• Redesigned steering wheel
• Keyless go (AMG Premium Line models)
• 12.3-inch touchscreen display (AMG Premium Line models)
• Augmented reality head-up display (Post-facelift models)
• 360-degree parking camera (Post-facelift models)

Mercedes E-Class Night Edition

Should the regular Mercedes E-Class AMG Line trim be too subtle for your tastes, a more striking Mercedes E-Class Night Edition was launched as part of the facelift. You can tell Mercedes E-Class Night Edition cars apart from the regular Mercedes E-Class AMG Line trim by the cosmetic detailing listed below. Specification was similar, with the only noteworthy addition a standard-fit panoramic sunroof.

• Glossy black front grille surround
• Glossy black front bumpers
• Glossy black wing mirrors
• Black alloy wheels
• Panoramic sunroof

Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain

The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain was an off-roader-inspired version with a more rugged character than the regular model. All-wheel drive and a raised suspension set-up gave it a degree of off-road prowess. When new, it was very expensive, but don’t expect to find too many listed for sale, as its high price and niche appeal meant it was never a strong seller. The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain was discontinued in 2020.

• Heated front seats
• Powered tailgate
• Adaptive air-suspension
• 360-degree parking camera
• 12.3-inch touchscreen media display
• Tow bar

Is a used Mercedes E-Class a good buy?

The Mercedes E-Class is definitely worth considering if you’d like to get some bang from your buck from your next used car.

As premium models traditionally don’t have the strongest resale values, it means you can pick one up for quite a bit less than what a like-for-like brand new example would set you back.

There’s more to like about the Mercedes E-Class beyond its potential value-for-money prospects, too. It excels as a comfortable and refined car that’s in its element on long motorway journeys.

This makes it a relaxing car to live with, although that emphasis on comfort means it isn’t quite as precise or as fun to drive as a BMW 5 Series or Jaguar XF.