Used car guide

2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs, from 289 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 289 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

289MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
4,100typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Ball joint2.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz S-Class
    12.5% All 2001 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.2% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

By area

The share of 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    36% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    36% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    26% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Rust and bodywork
    12% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020254Tyres 19%
20192,195Tyres 19%
20182,177Tyres 19%
20172,265Tyres 21%
20162,634Tyres 24%
20152,124Tyres 23%
20141,572Tyres 21%
2013946Brakes 27%
20121,148Brakes 33%
2011883Brakes 32%
2010773Brakes 32%
2009753Brakes 37%
2008810Brakes 40%
20071,127Brakes 39%
2006883Brakes 38%
2005429Brakes 36%
2004521Brakes 35%
2003522Suspension 34%
2002291Brakes 35%
2000203Suspension 33%
1999144Brakes 37%
1998158Brakes 32%
1997106Brakes 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score