Mercedes 500
Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 4 years from 1,218 real MOT tests.
Avg Pass Rate
85%
Total Tests
1,218
Best Year
1991 (87%)
Years Covered
4
How reliable is the Mercedes 500?
Mercedes 500 by Year
Checking a specific Mercedes 500?
Enter the reg plate to see its individual MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
About the Mercedes 500
The Mercedes 500 has been tested 1,218 times in 2024 MOT data across 4 model years (1990 to 1993), with an average pass rate of 85%. That's slightly above the national average of 82%. Available as petrol.
Best and Worst Years
The 1991 model is the most reliable with a 87% pass rate from 356 tests. The 1992 model has the lowest at 81%. The 6 point spread between years means reliability varies somewhat, but no year is dramatically different.
Reliability Trend
The MERCEDES 500 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.
Mileage Across Years
The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 108,828 miles, while the newest (1993) averages 106,200 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.
Click any year in the table above to see detailed running costs, individual reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.