RegVerdict Model Intelligence
Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliability
MOT pass rates & common faults·55,662 DVSA tests·2024
Across 55,662 real DVSA MOT tests in 2024, 78% of Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars aged 13 years and older pass their MOT first time, ahead of the 61% average for all cars of that age. It holds up especially well on body & structure and steering.
78%
Strong for its agepass first time (13 years and older)
Strong for its age · beats 82% of peers
+16.8 pts
MOT pass rate by age
4 to 7 years
17,518 tests · fleet 85%
93%
8 to 12 years
19,053 tests · fleet 73%
88%
13 years and older
19,091 tests · fleet 61%
78%
Where the S-Class fails
Suspension96
Brakes96
Body & structure99
Steering99
Tyres97
Lights & electrics96
Holds up better on body & structure, steering, lights & electrics.
Share of 13 years and older Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOTs with no fault in each area; the marker shows the fleet average. OGL v3.0.
How it tends to age
How the Mercedes-Benz S-Class tends to age
The MOT areas flagged most often on Mercedes-Benz S-Class models 13 years and older. It is the model’s typical pattern across millions of tests, not a forecast for this specific car.
- Brakes · flagged on ~4% of MOTs
- Lights & electrics · flagged on ~4% of MOTs
- Suspension · flagged on ~4% of MOTs
Common questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?
On 2024 MOT data the Mercedes-Benz S-Class holds up well for its age: 78% of examples aged 13 years and older pass first time, against a 61% fleet average. That puts it ahead of 82% of similar-age models.
What is the MOT pass rate for a Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
First-time MOT pass rates for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in 2024: 4 to 7 years, 93%; 8 to 12 years, 88%; and 13 years and older, 78%. Pass rates fall with age across the whole fleet, so compare each figure with cars of the same age, not with a new car.
What commonly fails on a Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT?
No single area stands out as a recurring weakness for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class versus other cars of the same age. Its MOT failures are spread across the usual wear items (tyres, brakes, lamps).
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Check a Mercedes-Benz S-Class’s full history