Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate: 86.0% (23,640 tests, 2025)

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class passed 86.0% of its 23,640 MOT tests in 2025 — 8.5 points above the UK average of 77.5%. The median tested example was 11 years old with 89,410 miles on the clock.
86.0%Pass rate (2025)
23,640MOT tests analysed
89,410 miMedian mileage at test
11 yrsMedian age at test

How the S-Class compares

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

86.0%

UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)

77.5% across 33.1 million tests

Mercedes-Benz average (all models)

80.7%

What fails most on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the S-Class:

#SystemDefects recordedShare
1Suspension1,79724.0%
2Brakes1,68922.5%
3Tyres1,53220.4%
4Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment89311.9%
5Noise, emissions and leaks6198.3%
6Visibility5046.7%

Pre-MOT checklist for S-Class owners

Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:

  • Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
  • Feel for a spongy pedal or pulling to one side; check pad wear through the wheel spokes if visible
  • Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
  • Walk round with all lights on: one blown bulb is the most avoidable fail there is
  • A blowing exhaust or visible smoke will fail; warm the engine fully before the test
Check the engine before the tester does

A stored fault code with the engine light on is an automatic Major defect. Scan and clear resolved faults before booking.

S-Class pass rate by registration year

Strongest age-adjusted years: 2004, 2006. Full ranking and method: Mercedes-Benz S-Class years to avoid.

Registration yearTestsPass rateVs same-ageMedian mileage
2003 1,900 78.7% +13.7 pts 115,919
2004 1,841 80.6% +16.3 pts 118,826
2005 1,552 76.7% +12.2 pts 119,516
2006 3,053 81.3% +16.8 pts 106,916
2007 3,770 78.5% +13.4 pts 112,922
2008 2,835 78.3% +13.1 pts 110,325
2009 2,506 77.6% +11.2 pts 107,166
2010 2,525 81.4% +14.0 pts 104,488
2011 2,738 82.2% +13.0 pts 103,872
2012 3,602 81.9% +10.7 pts 95,720
2013 2,919 83.9% +10.5 pts 98,348
2014 4,826 89.2% +13.3 pts 83,909
2015 6,465 88.6% +9.9 pts 75,164
2016 8,005 88.4% +7.1 pts 62,049
2017 7,087 89.0% +4.9 pts 59,650
2018 6,906 92.0% +5.6 pts 60,718
2019 6,929 92.8% +4.4 pts 57,335

Check a specific S-Class before you buy

Pass rates describe the model; they can’t tell you about the one car you’re looking at. Run its plate through our free MOT history check to see its personal record of failures, advisories and mileage readings.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

C78.2% pass rate · 343,551 tests A-Class77.8% pass rate · 232,671 tests E79.7% pass rate · 215,896 tests A89.1% pass rate · 93,733 tests Vito73.4% pass rate · 81,263 tests GLC87.2% pass rate · 65,847 tests GLA83.1% pass rate · 64,404 tests CLA82.7% pass rate · 62,279 tests

FAQs

What is the MOT pass rate for a Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

In 2025, 86.0% of 23,640 first MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What does the S-Class fail its MOT on most?

The biggest defect group is suspension (24.0% of its recorded defects), followed by brakes.

Is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?

MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 86.0% it performs above the national average at a median age of 11 years and 89,410 miles. Always check the individual car's history too.

Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures rounded to one decimal place.