Audi e-tron GT vs. Mercedes-Benz EQE: Complete comparison 2026

Audi e-tron GT represents the embodiment of a pure electric gran turismo, combining stunning sporty design with breathtaking driving dynamics. On the other hand stands the Mercedes-Benz EQE (also known as the EQE Sedan to distinguish it from the SUV version of the same name), a luxury executive electric car focused on maximum travel comfort, cutting-edge digital technologies, and extraordinary aerodynamic efficiency. The following comparison will detail the key differences between these two premium models and help you find out which one better suits your ideas of a perfect electric vehicle.

Looking at the exterior dimensions of both premium electric vehicles from 2021 to 2024, the different approach of both automakers to design and the overall vehicle concept quickly becomes apparent. The Audi e-tron GT is a classic representative of sports cars with a low and wide silhouette. With a length of 4989 mm, it is 25 to 43 mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz EQE (4946–4964 mm depending on the AMG version), but the main visual and practical difference lies in the height. The Audi measures just 1413 mm in height, which is nearly 100 mm less than the Mercedes (up to 1510 mm). This fact gives the Audi an extremely low center of gravity and a predatory look, but at the same time, it means slightly more challenging entry and a more sportily tailored cabin.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE, on the other hand, benefits maximally from its dedicated electric platform with wheels positioned as far as possible in the corners of the body, which is most evident in the wheelbase. While the width of both cars is almost identical (1964 mm for the Audi vs. 1961 mm for the Mercedes), the EQE offers a massive wheelbase of 3120 mm. That is a full 222 mm more than the e-tron GT (2898 mm). In practice, this means that the Mercedes can offer a significantly longer cabin on a slightly shorter overall footprint, which translates directly into generous legroom for rear passengers.

When it comes to maneuverability in the city and parking, both models require a certain amount of caution. Their width approaching two meters means that in narrow underground garages or at shopping centers, they will take up the maximum available space, and getting out of both cars will be more difficult due to wider sills and longer doors.

How do these dimensions affect the choice?
While the similar exterior width and length of both cars mean very similar requirements for parking space size, the differences in height and wheelbase clearly define their distinct characters. The Audi e-tron GT intentionally sacrificed some internal spaciousness in favor of unrivaled aerodynamics and fantastic sporting proportions that will delight enthusiastic drivers. The Mercedes-Benz EQE, on the other hand, thanks to its 222 mm longer wheelbase and taller body construction, excels in maximizing interior comfort and airiness, making it a significantly more practical choice for family use or frequent travel with adult passengers in the rear seats.

When choosing a luxury electric car on the used car market, practicality plays a surprisingly important role, even in the category of sports coupes and elegant sedans. Neither of the compared models – Audi e-tron GT (in the 2021 to 2024 specification) and Mercedes-Benz EQE (2022 generation to present) – can be considered classic family haulers. Nevertheless, they offer luggage spaces that are perfectly sufficient for a weekend shopping trip, a getaway for two, or storing several suitcases. The fundamental difference lies in their overall concept and approach to utilizing the internal layout of the electric platform.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan variant pleases with a base luggage capacity of 430 liters, which remains the same for most engine versions. Although this space is perfectly adequate for regular travel, the disadvantage is the classic trunk lid with a narrower loading opening. If you need to transport longer items, the rear seat backrests can be folded down, increasing the total usable space to 895 liters. However, a minor user disappointment is the absence of a front trunk, or "frunk." Charging cables must therefore share space with your luggage in the rear of the car, which can be quite impractical when the trunk is full of travel bags.

The Audi e-tron GT takes a slightly different approach. At the rear, it offers a standard capacity of 405 liters, while in top versions (such as the RS e-tron GT Performance), this space is reduced to 350 liters due to the presence of additional technology and an audio system. The rear backrests can be practically split in a 40:20:40 ratio, although the manufacturer does not officially state the exact maximum volume after they are fully folded for this coupe. However, Audi's major trump card is the presence of an additional frunk under the front hood with a volume of approximately 85 liters. This separate storage space is absolutely ideal for storing dirty charging cables or smaller luggage. Audi thus offers a slightly more thoughtful solution for everyday life with an electric car.

The ability to tow a trailer is not always a given for premium electric vehicles, even though it is a parameter that fundamentally affects the overall practicality of the car for many buyers. Whether you are planning to fit an e-bike rack or occasionally tow a small trailer, the differences between the sporty Audi e-tron GT and the luxury Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan are vast and perfectly illustrate the focus of both models.

Looking at models around four years old (generations launched between 2021 and 2022), the Mercedes-Benz EQE offers a permitted braked and unbraked trailer weight of 750 kg for its standard versions. This value is consistent across the entire range of engines available at the time, whether you choose the entry-level EQE 300, the more powerful EQE 500, or even the sporty AMG variants. Conversely, for the Audi e-tron GT (FW generation from 2021–2024), no trailer towing values are listed in the specifications. This purebred grand tourer with its low center of gravity is simply not homologated or designed for tow bar installation or towing loads at all.

In practice, these differences mean that the Mercedes-Benz provides owners with significantly more versatile usage options. The 750 kg limit is perfectly adequate for weekend trips to buy bulky materials, hauling garden waste, or securely mounting a robust rack for several heavy e-bikes, which is a major plus for active holidays. With the Audi, on the other hand, you have to rely solely on the basic trunk capacity, and the car offers no extra flexibility for transporting larger items.

Overall, it can be said that if you expect your car to be able to tow even a light trailer or comfortably carry family bikes on a tow bar, the Mercedes-Benz EQE is the clear and, in fact, the only choice in this comparison. The Audi e-tron GT remains true to its DNA as a purist sports car, where towing practicality has been sacrificed for pure performance and aerodynamics.

While both premium brands target customers looking for a luxury executive electric vehicle, their approach to powertrains differs fundamentally, which is crucial for used car buyers. The Audi e-tron GT, sharing its innovative 800V platform with the Porsche Taycan, focuses primarily on uncompromising sporty performance. Even the base model always offers quattro all-wheel drive and a technological specialty in the form of a unique two-speed gearbox on the rear axle, providing rocket-like acceleration from a standstill and higher efficiency at highway speeds. Power outputs for four-year-old cars start at a staggering 350 kW and peak with the RS version at a continuous output of 440 kW. In contrast, the Mercedes-Benz EQE (V295 generation available since 2022) is built on a modular architecture tuned for maximum silence, comfort, and the longest possible range. The three-pointed star brand therefore serves up a much wider and more civil spectrum of power outputs – from the exceptionally efficient rear-wheel-drive EQE 300 with 180 kW aimed at range hunters, to the heavyweight highway interceptor EQE 53 AMG with a crushing 460 kW. If you are a sport-oriented driver who prefers driving emotions and handling, the Audi will captivate you with its raw dynamics. For high-mileage drivers who strictly monitor consumption or are looking for the perfect balance between dynamics and a reasonable budget, the wide and more rational range from Mercedes makes more sense.

Powertrains: Audi e-tron GT

The range of Audi e-tron GT powertrains from 2021 to 2024 is completely straightforward from a used car market perspective, and you won't find any weak compromises with single-axle drive. The base, yet extremely agile, e-tron GT quattro version features two electric motors with a continuous output of 350 kW (up to 390 kW in overboost mode) and a massive 630 Nm of torque. The purely performance-oriented RS e-tron GT pushes these boundaries with a continuous output of 440 kW (up to 475 kW using Launch Control) and 830 Nm of torque, making it one of the most explosive models on the used EV market. It is very important to mention that newer, more powerful variants after the facelift, such as the S e-tron GT or the extreme RS e-tron GT Performance introduced in late 2024, are not yet common on the typical four-year-old used car market, so buyers will realistically choose exclusively between the two original specifications mentioned.

Powertrains: Mercedes-Benz EQE

For the rival Mercedes-Benz EQE, the situation on the used car market is significantly more diverse, as the manufacturer designed the model as the electric equivalent of the popular E-Class for very varied user profiles. The rational foundation of the range consists of efficient versions with rear-wheel drive only and a standard single-speed reduction gear – these are the entry-level EQE 300 specification with 180 kW and the very popular EQE 350 (or the range-optimized EQE 350+) producing 215 kW. For drivers who require all-wheel traction for mountain driving or poor surfaces, there is the EQE 350 4MATIC model (the same 215 kW, but significantly better torque of 765 Nm) and the more powerful universal compromise EQE 500 4MATIC with 300 kW. Those looking for top performance can reach for AMG division derivatives on the used market, specifically the EQE 43 AMG and EQE 53 AMG models. While these offer a completely different level of dynamics exceeding even the base Audi, one must expect significantly higher energy consumption and a shorter range compared to the standard single-motor rear-wheel-drive versions.

Choosing the right motorization is key for electric vehicles for long-term satisfaction, reliability, and travel comfort, with both cars approaching propulsion quite differently. While the Audi e-tron GT uses an 800V architecture focused on extremely fast charging and, thanks to a two-speed gearbox on the rear axle, provides crushing acceleration at higher speeds, the Mercedes-Benz EQE relies on a 400V system and smooth pull focused on silence and maximizing highway range. From the perspective of the used car market, where roughly four-year-old cars from the start of production are currently beginning to appear, it is important to focus not only on paper performance but primarily on charging history, real efficiency, and potential teething troubles from the first years of production.

For the Audi e-tron GT, we recommend: e-tron GT quattro (350 kW)

For models from 2021 to 2024 (pre-facelift generation), the base e-tron GT quattro motorization with 350 kW, which briefly increases to 390 kW (530 hp) in Boost mode, is clearly the best choice. On the used car market, paying extra for the stiffer and more expensive RS version doesn't make much sense, as even the standard version offers dynamics that will completely amaze the vast majority of drivers and maintains a better balance for everyday driving. The car's main technological weapon is the 800V architecture, thanks to which it handles a charging power of up to 270 kW – in practice, this means replenishing energy from 10 to 80% in an excellent 23 minutes.

During a physical inspection of a used car, always insist on a diagnostic of the traction battery's condition (SoH – State of Health). Very frequent ultra-fast charging stresses the battery, and if the previous owner regularly charged the car to 100% and left it standing in the heat, capacity degradation may be higher. Furthermore, focus on the condition of the brake pads and uneven tire wear, which takes a toll on the chassis with a weight of over 2.3 tons very quickly. This model is ideal for dynamically minded drivers who want to cover longer distances with minimal delay at chargers and appreciate precise and sporty driving characteristics with reliable all-wheel drive.

For the Mercedes-Benz EQE, we recommend: EQE 350 (215 kW)

In the case of the Mercedes-Benz EQE (generation 295, for cars from 2022–2023), we recommend going for the EQE 350 version with rear-wheel drive and an output of 215 kW (292 hp). Although you can also find all-wheel-drive versions (4MATIC) or a variant with lower power (EQE 300) on the market, the 350 version as a "pure" rear-wheel drive is the most sensible choice on the used market. The absence of a front electric motor significantly reduces mechanical resistance and overall consumption, which, combined with a large usable battery capacity (roughly 90 kWh), helps maximize the real range approaching the 500-kilometer mark without having to compromise on comfort.

As part of checking a used car, focus thoroughly on the speed and smoothness of the complex MBUX infotainment and all assistance systems. Early 2022 models can occasionally suffer from software "glitches" that can only be resolved by an extensive update at an authorized service center. Given that all the massive torque (565 Nm) is transmitted only by the rear axle, carefully check the wear level of the rear tires, which tend to disappear very quickly. The EQE 350 motorization is tailored for managers and highway travelers who prefer uncompromising silence in the cabin, smooth comfort, and want to rely as much as possible on a generous range on a single charge.

Official electricity consumption values provided by manufacturers often differ significantly from the catalog figures in real-world operation. Although the WLTP methodology has brought more realistic figures than older standards, for large and heavy electric vehicles, the influence of driving style, outdoor temperature, and especially speed remains absolutely critical. While official materials show optimistic consumption values from roughly 16 to 21 kWh/100 km, the reality on ordinary roads is usually 10 to 20% higher. To get a more reliable picture, we used long-term data from real users of the popular crowdsourcing platform Spritmonitor.de, which faithfully reflects the daily experiences of drivers with cars available on the used car market.

The collected data across available powertrains reveal clear trends in the efficiency of modern electric drives. The Mercedes-Benz EQE (V295 generation available since 2022) clearly benefits from the excellent aerodynamics of its bodywork and its specific teardrop-like profile. The most efficient variants with standard rear-wheel drive, such as the 300 and 350+ models, can easily achieve real-world consumption below 20 kWh/100 km. Conversely, adding a second electric motor and the associated 4MATIC all-wheel drive (e.g., the 500 version) immediately adds at least 2 kWh extra. For the Audi e-tron GT (produced since 2021), it is evident at first glance that wider tires, the standard high-performance dual-motor drive, and a different platform design take their toll. The average consumption of the base e-tron GT easily exceeds the 23 kWh/100 km mark, while the brutal RS variant climbs close to the 25 kWh limit.

For typical users, these values provide a crucial guide for selection. If you are the type of driver who spends most of the work week covering hundreds of kilometers on highways and primarily cares about maximum real-world range and cost savings, the base rear-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz EQE models are the most sensible choice on the market. At higher speeds, their efficiency is exemplary. In contrast, in heavy city traffic, you must account for the fact that with both rivals, a weight exceeding 2.3 tons will consume a huge amount of energy during constant stop-and-go driving, even though advanced recuperation can recover some of it. If you decide to purchase an Audi e-tron GT, you must expect that you are primarily buying an enthusiastic sports car; slightly higher operating costs and more frequent stops at charging stations are the expected price for driving emotions here.

In conclusion, it can be said with certainty that measured energy consumption should be one of the key factors helping to tip the scales one way or the other. The Mercedes-Benz EQE defends its title as an excellent, very economical, and efficient highway cruiser. In contrast, the Audi e-tron GT bets purely on design extravagance and uncompromising driving dynamics, for which it consciously sacrifices part of its efficiency. For rational buyers and long-distance travelers, the Mercedes represents a significantly smarter choice.

Used car prices: Massive depreciation favors buyers

Purchasing a second-hand premium electric vehicle is currently one of the most advantageous ways to enjoy a luxury ride. Both the Audi e-tron GT and the Mercedes-Benz EQE belong to the category of cars that experience a steep decline in value in the first few years after leaving the production line. After about three to four years of operation, you can find these models on the used car market for a fraction of their original purchase prices, which often approached or exceeded the €103,000 to €123,000 mark.

Audi e-tron GT (2021–2022 models)

The e-tron GT appeared on the market slightly earlier than its Stuttgart competitor, which is reflected in the wider range of available used cars around 4 years old.

• Base version (e-tron GT quattro): These models with higher mileage (around 80,000 – 100,000 km) start on the European market from approximately €47,000 to €51,000.
• The golden mean: Well-maintained cars with mileage up to 50,000 km typically range between €58,000 and €68,000, depending on the first owner's generosity when selecting optional equipment.
• Top-of-the-line RS e-tron GT: If you desire the extreme performance of the RS version, expect to pay at least €74,000. Very well-preserved units with minimal mileage still exceed the €82,000 mark.

Mercedes-Benz EQE (2022–2023 models)

The Mercedes-Benz EQE is slightly newer to the used car market, yet its depreciation curve perfectly mirrors the trend of luxury electric vehicles at the time. The advantage for second-hand buyers of this model is the huge emphasis on long range and modern assistance systems.

• Base version (EQE 300 / 350+): The cheapest used rear-wheel-drive models can currently be purchased from €45,000. These are mostly fleet or highway cruisers with mileage over 60,000 km.
• Richly equipped models (AMG Line, 4MATIC): The largest part of the market consists of excellently equipped cars with all-wheel drive or the attractive AMG styling package. Here, prices range widely between €53,000 and €64,000.
• Performance versions (EQE 43/53 AMG): Sharper sports variants from the AMG workshop start at approximately €70,000 and approach €90,000 for nearly new models.

What to watch out for when buying

When choosing a 3 to 4-year-old electric car, it is crucial to have the SoH (State of Health) checked via diagnostics, which shows the actual state of high-voltage battery degradation. The good news is that for 2021 and 2022 models, both Audi and Mercedes-Benz are safely protected by a factory battery warranty. For both manufacturers, this standardly covers 8 years or 160,000 kilometers driven. However, be sure to check the service book thoroughly to see if the original owner regularly underwent the prescribed inspection services, which is an absolute necessity for premium brands to potentially claim this warranty.

When evaluating the safety of premium electric vehicles on the used car market, the highest standard is automatically expected. However, it is crucial to put crash test results into the correct context and particularly monitor the year of testing. The methodology and protocols of the independent Euro NCAP association have been constantly tightening over the years. While older tests focused primarily on structural passive safety during the impact itself, modern ones place enormous emphasis on active safety assistants, advanced automatic braking scenarios, cyclist detection, and handling crisis situations at intersections. For this reason, percentage scores from different years cannot be directly and fairly compared.

An interesting fact about the Audi e-tron GT is that this car has not yet been officially and independently tested by Euro NCAP. For this reason, there is no specific data that could be included in the evaluation. Prospective buyers of this model often rely on its structural kinship with the Porsche Taycan, with which the Audi shares a platform. The Taycan underwent testing in 2019 and received a full five-star rating; however, in terms of today's much stricter methodologies (especially for assistance systems), this rating is somewhat dated.

In contrast, the Mercedes-Benz EQE underwent rigorous Euro NCAP testing in 2022 and easily achieved the maximum five-star rating according to the very demanding standards in force at the time. The results show total dominance in adult occupant protection (95%) and child protection (91%). The car also excelled in the categories of vulnerable road user protection (83%) and safety assist systems (81%). The high score for safety assistants reflects the fact that the EQE features top-tier active safety elements, including advanced automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection and comprehensive protection when turning. Furthermore, Mercedes received an excellent rating for this model's innovative Active Emergency Stop Assist system, which can safely stop the vehicle and secure help in an emergency.

In a direct comparison from the perspective of certified safety, the situation is clear. While with the Audi e-tron GT we must rely on the technical assumptions of the platform and the lack of official data, the Mercedes-Benz EQE offers exact and highly above-average results from recent times. For a buyer looking for an uncompromising and objectively proven level of modern safety, the Mercedes is the clearer and more verifiable choice on the used car market.

Comparison of Euro NCAP Results

In addition to standard equipment, each model offers several unique features that can be decisive for the customer, with both vehicles approaching added value and the premium experience in completely different ways.

Audi e-tron GT: 800V Architecture and Uncompromising Dynamics

• Electronics and Charging: The foundation of this sportily styled gran turismo is an advanced 800V electrical system. This architecture enables extremely fast charging at up to 270 kW at compatible fast-charging stations. In practice, this means the ability to add 100 kilometers of range in about 5 minutes.
• Chassis and Steering: Precise driving characteristics are ensured by three-chamber air suspension and the intelligent quattro all-wheel-drive system, which can lightning-fast vector torque between individual wheels. The driving experience is further enhanced by optional rear-wheel steering for better stability at high speeds and easier maneuvering in the city.
• Design and Aerodynamics: The car relies on efficient active aerodynamics with a retractable rear spoiler and adjustable air intakes at the front. For connoisseurs and performance-oriented drivers, a carbon fiber roof is available, which reduces overall weight and lowers the car's center of gravity even further.
• Acoustics and Emotion: Engineers from Ingolstadt developed the specific e-tron sport sound. This is a sophisticated synthetic sound profile for both the exterior and interior, giving the electric drive futuristic and sporty emotions that react to how dynamically you are currently driving.
• Sport Variants: The top of the range is the RS e-tron GT version. It delivers a staggering output of up to 475 kW (in overboost mode) and allows acceleration from zero to one hundred kilometers per hour in just 3.3 seconds, challenging the territory of traditional supercars.

Mercedes-Benz EQE: Digital Luxury and Maximum Agility

• Infotainment and Dashboard: A key technological feature of the interior is the optional MBUX Hyperscreen. This gigantic curved glass panel stretches across the entire width of the dashboard, visually connecting three high-end OLED displays and transforming the car's cabin into a completely unique digital hub.
• Chassis and Maneuverability: The Mercedes-Benz EQE offers a rear-axle steering system with a generous angle of up to 10 degrees. This innovation dramatically reduces the turning radius of the five-meter sedan to the level of a small city hatchback (approximately 10.7 meters), making parking a completely stress-free affair.
• Comfort and Air Filtration: The health of the occupants is looked after by the optional Energizing Air Control Plus system, complemented by a massive HEPA filter. This system can capture fine dust, microparticles, pollen, and unpleasant odors with immense precision, maintaining air purity in the cabin comparable to a hospital or laboratory environment.
• Electronics and Updates: The car is fully prepared for Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates. The system can gradually improve the functions of the intelligent voice assistant or upload new relaxing or dynamic sound profiles for the high-end Burmester audio system.
• Sport Editions and Engines: The EQE also caters to speed enthusiasts through its versions from the AMG division (Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 and 53). These models combine sedan comfort with a more aggressive design, a specially tuned AMG Ride Control+ air suspension, and blistering acceleration thanks to an output exceeding 680 hp in the top version.

The Audi e-tron GT is the ideal choice for enthusiastic drivers looking for uncompromising sporty performance, breathtaking design, and who appreciate the benefits of lightning-fast 800V charging on long journeys. This model prioritizes emotion, driving experience, and driving dynamics over absolute family practicality, making it an exclusive Gran Turismo for the demanding.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE, on the other hand, is the perfect highway cruiser for those who demand absolute silence, exemplary travel comfort, and a technology-packed interior. It focuses primarily on maximum efficiency and passenger comfort, appealing more to managers and calmer drivers who spend long hours behind the wheel.

Based on our own experiences, long-term user reviews, service reports, and reported recalls, we have compiled an overview of the most common problems you should watch out for when choosing these premium electric vehicles. Before the purchase itself, we always recommend booking a comprehensive car audit, which will help reveal any hidden defects and check the real condition of the high-voltage system.

Audi e-tron GT

The Audi e-tron GT shares the J1 chassis platform with the Porsche Taycan, which gives it phenomenal driving characteristics but also means sharing certain "teething troubles," mainly in the early model years.

• Software and infotainment: Users quite often report MMI system freezes, problems with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and communication outages with the myAudi mobile app. Improvements are usually brought only by newer software updates.
• Thermal management: In some vehicles, the high-voltage heating element (HVAC) has failed. This manifests as non-functional heating in the cabin, which is extremely unpleasant in winter months, and the repair requires intervention by an authorized service center.
• Electrical system and charging: A very troublesome issue is the sudden discharge of the classic 12V onboard battery, which can lead to complete immobilization of the vehicle even if the main traction battery is fully charged. There are also known cases where the charging port cover mechanism got stuck or the lock refused to release the charging cable.
• High-voltage battery: Vehicles from the first years of production faced a recall due to suspicion of imperfect sealing of the battery housing, where moisture could penetrate, posing a risk of a short circuit.

Mercedes-Benz EQE

The Mercedes-Benz EQE represents the brand's technological showcase. However, the extreme amount of advanced electronics, assistants, and giant displays takes its toll in the form of electronic faults.

• MBUX Infotainment: If the vehicle is equipped with the Hyperscreen system, there are complaints about occasional display overheating, spontaneous system restarts, or so-called "ghost touches" on the touchscreen. Many of these errors are resolved via over-the-air (OTA) updates.
• Body and exterior elements: Aerodynamic pop-out door handles can be a real nuisance. They often malfunction after freezing in winter, but failures of the electric motors themselves also occur, causing the handle not to extend at all.
• Interior and build quality: Despite the high price, owners complain about occasional creaking of plastics on the center console, typically in areas with glossy black "piano" lacquer. The problem is mainly the expansion of materials during temperature changes. Overly sensitive capacitive buttons on the steering wheel, which react even to a slight touch of the palm, can also be troublesome.
• Assistance systems: An overabundance of sensors and cameras sometimes leads to false alarms from collision prevention assistants or unexpected steering interventions. The need for recalibration of camera systems is also not uncommon.

When buying a used car, a thorough inspection is crucial, and for such technologically advanced electric vehicles, this is doubly true. Both vehicles have their specifics to watch out for when choosing, which is why an Independent technical inspection of the car is recommended for peace of mind.

When choosing an Audi e-tron GT:

• Two-speed gearbox on the rear axle: The e-tron GT uses a unique two-speed gearbox for the rear electric motor, which helps with acceleration and efficiency at high speeds. During the test drive, listen closely and watch the transition between gears (it often shifts around 80–100 km/h or during sharp acceleration). There should be no thuds, and gear changes must be smooth.
• Electric charging port doors: The car has charging ports on both sides, covered by motorized doors. Physically test both – the mechanism can jam over time or show a sensor fault. In extreme cases, a stuck door can make it completely impossible to charge the car.
• Air suspension and control arm wear: A heavy electric vehicle places enormous demands on the suspension. Test the raising and lowering of the air suspension to all height levels and ensure the compressor does not run for an abnormally long time. When driving over bumps, there should be no squeaking or knocking from the front axle, which would indicate the need to replace worn control arms.
• MMI software and parking cameras: On older software versions, the MMI system can suffer from screen freezing or image dropouts from the rear parking camera. Check the smoothness of operation in the infotainment menu and ideally ensure that the car has received all available updates from the dealer.
• Battery health diagnostics (SOH): For a roughly four-year-old electric car, it is essential to verify the degree of degradation of the high-voltage battery using specialized diagnostics. With normal wear and tear, the capacity should not drop below 90%.

When choosing a Mercedes-Benz EQE:

• Brake pedal behavior and recuperation: The EQE has a specific braking system that physically moves the brake pedal under the driver's foot during recuperation. Test all recuperation levels (adjustable via paddles behind the steering wheel) and ensure that the system transitions smoothly to mechanical brakes during emergency braking. If the brakes feel extremely "spongy", there may be an issue with the system tuning or air in the lines.
• Retractable flush door handles: Check all four flush handles on the exterior. They must extend and retract smoothly without sticking. The electric motors and sensors in the handles are sensitive to frost, dirt, and moisture, and their failure is not uncommon in early models of the EVA2 platform.
• Rear-axle steering: Many used EQE models are equipped with rear-wheel steering. When maneuvering slowly in a car park, roll down the windows and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock. There should be no squeaking, cracking, or mechanical thuds from underneath. Also, check that the rear tires are wearing evenly.
• MBUX system and ambient lighting functionality: Ensure that the huge central display responds without delay and does not overheat. An occasional issue is failing segments of the ambient lighting in the interior – set a single-color theme in the menu and check that all LED strips light up evenly.
• Thermal management and cooling check: For used Mercedes electric cars, it is key to verify the correct operation of the battery cooling and air conditioning circuits. It is recommended to have the entire system checked by an expert, for which a Comprehensive car inspection is the ideal tool, as it can detect potential temperature fluctuations or pump failures.

Sources: ADAC, denik.cz, e15.cz, auto-mania.cz, autoservis.cz, motorsportrevue.cz

This article was prepared using artificial intelligence tools. The section guarantor is Petr Dušek.