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MERCEDES S-CLASS (2020)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 540 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,042

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

95%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3982cc Petrol

Great Choice

95% pass rate, £2042/year to run. 13 points above average.

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Petrol3982cc6 years old540 tests44k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3982cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£2,042
Per month£170/mo
Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

95% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 13 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 6 years old, 95% of MERCEDES S-CLASSs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 540 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 43,972 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 cars507th of 2,596(top 20%)
Rank among MERCEDES models237th of 1,408(top 17%)
vs national average+13%(82% avg)
vs 2020 cars average+3%(92% avg)
vs MERCEDES average+8%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

43,972

Average miles

vs

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2020 MERCEDES S-CLASS has 43,972 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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MERCEDES S-CLASS by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202191%16432,036 mi
202095%54043,972 mi
201994%5,92167,860 mi
201894%6,51875,456 mi
201793%5,99073,988 mi
201691%6,81974,260 mi
201592%5,51387,325 mi
201492%3,91595,545 mi
201389%2,145108,065 mi
201288%2,817100,420 mi
201187%2,202117,628 mi
201085%2,001110,934 mi
200982%1,990114,274 mi
200884%2,232110,584 mi
200784%2,940117,418 mi
200687%2,334111,043 mi
200584%1,301132,014 mi
200482%1,158124,020 mi
200382%1,227120,882 mi
200279%720115,052 mi
200179%735107,381 mi
200081%562102,703 mi
199978%43498,447 mi
199881%522111,371 mi
199786%373107,182 mi
199683%348109,185 mi
199586%286111,087 mi
199492%140106,787 mi
199376%49112,335 mi
199272%121119,350 mi
199192%118120,508 mi
199087%125142,121 mi

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About the 2020 MERCEDES S-CLASS

The 2020 MERCEDES S-CLASS is a performance with a 3982cc petrol engine. 540 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 20% of all 2020 cars for reliability.

With an average of 43,972 miles at 6 years old, MERCEDES S-CLASS owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2020 MERCEDES S-CLASS Fuel Costs

The 3982cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2020 MERCEDES S-CLASS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,042 170/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 95% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

MERCEDES S-CLASS Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES S-CLASSs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2020 MERCEDES S-CLASS

At 6 years old, the MERCEDES S-CLASS offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2020 MERCEDES S-CLASS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 6 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Low risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2020 MERCEDES S-CLASS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MERCEDES S-CLASS(2020)95%£1592£195Grp 35-50£2042
MERCEDES C(2019)91%£1592£190Grp 35-50£2037-£5
PORSCHE CAYENNE(2019)95%£1592£190Grp 35-50£2037-£5
PORSCHE 911(2018)96%£1592£190Grp 35-50£2037-£5
AUDI A6(2020)94%£1592£190Grp 35-50£2037-£5

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Mercedes Models

Explore other Mercedes cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mercedes S-class.

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