ESP and speedtronic fault - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

I googled: 2000 Mercedes-Benz E ESP DEFECTIVE
I recommend you see the many answers. There appears to be a big problem in this situation. You may find in MB site a diagnosis and a "fix" If you figure out what the problem is, and part you need, try Ebay for that part or thefind.com
Wild guess $200 to 300

As long as you have good brakes the ABS part of the braking system does not have to be working. I drove two years without ABS and my mechanic said this was ok as the ABS part of the system makes for the wheels to alternate so on ice they don't just slide on one side. My light was on all this time .In saying that make sure your brakes are in good working condition. If they are worn out you will have to replace them.

No one is going to say it is alright to drive with brake warnings... You can make the decision yourself based on how the car is performing but don't fail to consider what would happen if you were in an accident?
I find this forum to be very helpful:
Title goes here

Here is a video that may help as well

ESP is Electronic Stability Control! This is traction control and is controlled through the ECU, take to Mercedes garage to read the fault codes and resolve the problem!

It is usually a ABS wheel speed sensor has gone faulty, but you would have to have electronic diagnostic done to read off a fault code (DTC) and maybe a live data scan . Hope this helps

DO U HAD THE CAR CHECKED FOR DTCS?

When the Electronic stability program indicator stays on it is alerting you to the fact that the systems control module has detected a fault and shut the ESP off. You must now have it diagnosed to find out what caused this fault.

There could be one or more of several reasons why the ESP light has illuminated on your Smart car...
For example, you could have a fault with dirty reluctor rings on the Abs system - faulty Abs sensor/ s ... a fault with the brake light switch - a fault with the steering angle sensor -- even a software glitch / issue in the control system...
The above are known issues that can and do cause the Esp light to come on.
What you will have to do is have the car connected to a dealer diagnostic machine - This will run a full diagnostic test and fault code read - to see why the Esp light has come on and quickly and efficiently find the right cause - and then it can be sorted out, whatever it transpires to be.
You really cannot do much on a Diy basis on these for this fault. You can check the reluctor rings as mentioned above and the wiring to the ABS sensors. The abs light will often come on to with the Esp light - but not always. Dont check these these things with the Ign On....
Too, you can check to see if the brake lights are working - if they are not - thats a definite indication of brake lamp switch failure which will cause the Esp light to come on - but while its worth checking - even if the lights do work - it doesn't always follow the switch is ok - it has a dual function - brake lights and engine management circuitry...
At which point, if you have found nothing - you will have to have the diagnostic done as above to find the fault.

The ESP light has come on due to a fault with the abs/ traction system . It will req fault code reading by a diagnostic tester to determine the fault more than likely a abs wheel speed sensor.