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Mercedes-Benz S-Class years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

15,376 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2007–2019 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 8 Mercedes-Benz S-Class years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

86.6%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 86.0% to 87.1%.

In 2025, 86.6% of the 15,376 initial MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 74.3%. That is 12.2 points above the same-age average.

In our tables of the highest MOT pass rates by age: joint 2nd of 173 cars first used in 2018; joint 1st of 167 cars first used in 2015.

Check a specific S-Class

Its own MOT history, free.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2019age 62,30671,20090.5%±1.3+7.0 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 72,18468,20090.5%±1.4+9.6 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 82,27166,90087.2%±1.5+9.0 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 92,63470,10085.7%±1.4+10.8 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 102,12480,40086.9%±1.6+15.0 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 111,58390,60087.7%±1.8+19.1 ptsall: 68.6%
2012age 131,149100,40080.2%±2.5+16.7 ptsall: 63.5%
2007age 181,125113,00075.7%±2.6+18.3 ptsall: 57.4%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Mercedes-Benz S-Class first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

92.0% of Mercedes-Benz S-Class tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 85.3% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 87.2% and 66.5%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,0001,20592.0%±1.7+4.8 ptsall: 87.2%
30,000–59,9993,86087.3%±1.1+7.9 ptsall: 79.5%
60,000–89,9994,02385.5%±1.2+13.0 ptsall: 72.4%
90,000–119,9992,79386.4%±1.4+18.6 ptsall: 67.8%
120,000 or more3,48485.3%±1.3+18.8 ptsall: 66.5%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, S-Class tests were above average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Mercedes-Benz S-Class tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 11 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common S-Class problems at the MOT

Share of the 2,067 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a S-Class

Based on the areas where Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Tyres

    In 36.4% of failed S-Class tests

    • Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
    • Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
    • Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a S-Class's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.5% failed on tyres, against 4.0% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,207 and 10,061 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory7.5%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.0%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 24.0% of those with a tyre advisory and 24.8% of the others.

Brakes

Of Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 6.6% failed on brakes, against 3.6% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,824 and 10,274 cars.

  • With a brake advisory6.6%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted3.6%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 27.3% of those with a brake advisory and 24.2% of the others.

Suspension

Of Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.6% failed on suspension, against 4.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,127 and 10,513 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory8.6%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.7%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 26.6% of those with a suspension advisory and 24.4% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Mercedes-Benz S-Class questions

Which Mercedes-Benz S-Class years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2007, 2012 and 2014–2019. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 86.6% of initial MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 74.3%. That is 12.2 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are tyres (in 36.4% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 80,400 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific S-Class's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 23 Mercedes-Benz modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count