Mercedes S-class
Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 32 years from 62,260 real MOT tests.
Avg Pass Rate
86%
Total Tests
62,260
Best Year
2020 (95%)
Years Covered
32
How reliable is the Mercedes S-class?
Mercedes S-class by Year
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91% | 164 | 32,036 mi |
| 2020 | 95% | 540 | 43,972 mi |
| 2019 | 94% | 5,921 | 67,860 mi |
| 2018 | 94% | 6,518 | 75,456 mi |
| 2017 | 93% | 5,990 | 73,988 mi |
| 2016 | 91% | 6,819 | 74,260 mi |
| 2015 | 92% | 5,513 | 87,325 mi |
| 2014 | 92% | 3,915 | 95,545 mi |
| 2013 | 89% | 2,145 | 108,065 mi |
| 2012 | 88% | 2,817 | 100,420 mi |
| 2011 | 87% | 2,202 | 117,628 mi |
| 2010 | 85% | 2,001 | 110,934 mi |
| 2009 | 82% | 1,990 | 114,274 mi |
| 2008 | 84% | 2,232 | 110,584 mi |
| 2007 | 84% | 2,940 | 117,418 mi |
| 2006 | 87% | 2,334 | 111,043 mi |
| 2005 | 84% | 1,301 | 132,014 mi |
| 2004 | 82% | 1,158 | 124,020 mi |
| 2003 | 82% | 1,227 | 120,882 mi |
| 2002 | 79% | 720 | 115,052 mi |
| 2001 | 79% | 735 | 107,381 mi |
| 2000 | 81% | 562 | 102,703 mi |
| 1999 | 78% | 434 | 98,447 mi |
| 1998 | 81% | 522 | 111,371 mi |
| 1997 | 86% | 373 | 107,182 mi |
| 1996 | 83% | 348 | 109,185 mi |
| 1995 | 86% | 286 | 111,087 mi |
| 1994 | 92% | 140 | 106,787 mi |
| 1993 | 76% | 49 | 112,335 mi |
| 1992 | 72% | 121 | 119,350 mi |
| 1991 | 92% | 118 | 120,508 mi |
| 1990 | 87% | 125 | 142,121 mi |
Checking a specific Mercedes S-class?
Enter the reg plate to see its individual MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
About the Mercedes S-class
The Mercedes S-class has been tested 62,260 times in 2024 MOT data across 32 model years (1990 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 86%. That's slightly above the national average of 82%. Available as hybrid and petrol and diesel.
Best and Worst Years
The 2020 model is the most reliable with a 95% pass rate from 540 tests. The 1992 model has the lowest at 72%. With a 23 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.
Reliability Trend
Newer MERCEDES S-CLASSs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.
Mileage Across Years
The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 142,121 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 32,036 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.