Mercedes-Benz EQT W420 — Problems & Common Faults
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The EQT is the electric passenger variant of the Kangoo platform and is mechanically almost identical to the Renault Kangoo E-Tech Electric and the closely related eCitan. Under the Mercedes bodywork sits a 90 kW electric motor drawing from a comparatively small 45 kWh battery — a setup clearly aimed at city and rural use rather than long-distance travel. ADAC's Ecotest confirms this: instead of the promised 278 km WLTP figure, real-world testing returned around 235 km, and other tests at a cool 8-10°C recorded only around 200 km. Part of the reason is the lack of active battery preconditioning, which noticeably slows DC fast charging in cold weather — instead of the claimed 80 kW maximum, ADAC measured an average of only around 58 kW. The standard 22 kW AC charger only partly compensates for this on longer trips. Anyone charging mostly at home or the office and rarely covering more than 150 km at a stretch will get along fine with the battery; for long hauls or frequent fast-charging stops the EQT is a poor fit. Mechanically the drivetrain is considered robust, and no notable weak points have been documented yet for this still-young model (launched mid-2023). One documented recall for the model line covered a faulty gateway software causing headlight and indicator failures — worth checking against the recall database before buying. Minor finish niggles include the Renault-sourced gear selector not showing the selected drive mode on the lever itself, front doors that don't close with the usual solid Mercedes click, and a rear bench mounted higher due to the battery pack, leaving a step to the load floor when folded. The battery warranty follows Mercedes' standard eight years or 160,000 km at a minimum 70 percent remaining capacity. Overall a solid city and commuter vehicle with honest limits on range and charging speed — anyone who accepts that gets an unremarkable but spacious daily electric companion.
Engine Overview
The Mercedes-Benz EQT W420 is available with one engine variant at 122 hp.
The electric drivetrain is built on the compact-van platform developed together with the alliance partner and pairs a permanent-magnet synchronous motor with a comparatively small battery pack. The design targets everyday short and medium trips rather than long-distance touring — neither the charging power nor the battery's thermal management are dimensioned for that. Without active preconditioning, usable charging power drops noticeably in cool weather, and real-world energy consumption in test conditions runs clearly above the factory figure. As a drive unit itself, the motor is considered robust and low-maintenance; no notable mechanical weak points have been documented yet for this still-young unit, and the known limitations concern mainly range and cold-weather charging behavior.
- ! No active battery preconditioning
Without active battery preconditioning, DC fast-charging power drops noticeably below the maximum 80 kW in cold weather. ADAC measured an average of around 58 kW in testing instead of the manufacturer figure.
Symptoms: DC fast charging from 10 to 80 percent takes noticeably longer than the stated 38 minutes in cool outside temperatures. - ! Real-world range noticeably below WLTP figure
Real-world consumption according to ADAC's Ecotest is 22.2 instead of the factory-stated 19.0 kWh/100 km. At 8 to 10 degrees Celsius outside temperature, testing achieved only around 200 kilometres of range.
Symptoms: The remaining range shown on the trip computer is noticeably below the WLTP figure in cool weather and with a higher share of rural/motorway driving. - i DC fast charging not standard across all trim lines
The 80 kW DC fast-charging capability is not included as standard on every EQT configuration. Charging equipment varies by trim line and model year, which is easy to overlook when buying used.
Symptoms: At a DC fast charger, a vehicle without the corresponding equipment charges noticeably slower, or not at all, at the advertised 80 kW.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Recall: Low-beam and indicator failure due to gateway software A fault in the central gateway control unit software can cause low-beam headlights and turn indicators to stop working. Vehicles from several model lines on the same platform built in 2024 are affected. Symptoms: Low-beam headlights and turn indicators can fail, sometimes together with other electrical functions – usually only noticed in the dark or when signalling. | Low |
Test Reports
ADAC Ecotest
In the ADAC Ecotest the EQT scores four out of five stars for low emissions, but real-world range of around 235 km falls noticeably short of the promised 278 km WLTP figure.
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 6 weaknesses have been documented for the Mercedes-Benz EQT W420 (2023–2026) — 3 engine-related and 3 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Other, Body, Electronics. Considered reliable: EQT-EM (Elektro 45 kWh).
What to watch out for with the Mercedes-Benz EQT? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Mercedes-Benz EQT W420 have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Mercedes-Benz EQT W420? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Mercedes-Benz EQT W420 engine is the most reliable? +
Which Mercedes-Benz EQT W420 engine is the most fun? +
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQT W420 worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Mercedes-Benz EQT W420? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee