Used car guide

2005 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: petrol or diesel?

Petrol, diesel and hybrid versions go wrong in different ways, so each has its own figures from the MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Pick the one you’re looking at: the fuel is on the logbook and in the car’s MOT history.

Petrol 76% pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%) Nothing stands out above the usual rate 498 MOTsSee the petrol guide › Diesel 69% pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%) Stands out: ball joint 2.2×, side repeaters 2.9× 1,071 MOTsSee the diesel guide ›

Hybrid versions had too few MOTs for figures of their own, or weren’t sold.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023513Tyres 14%
2022651Tyres 12%
2021148Tyres 20%
2020775Tyres 21%
20196,969Tyres 19%
20186,939Tyres 18%
20177,115Tyres 22%
20168,055Tyres 23%
20156,498Tyres 23%
20144,832Tyres 22%
20132,929Brakes 26%
20123,634Brakes 31%
20112,761Brakes 30%
20102,549Brakes 31%
20092,529Brakes 37%
20082,858Brakes 39%
20073,814Brakes 40%
20063,082Brakes 37%
20041,856Brakes 37%
20031,931Brakes 35%
20021,143Brakes 33%
20011,009Brakes 34%
2000748Suspension 35%
1999491Brakes 34%
1998501Brakes 32%
1997351Brakes 34%
1996318Brakes 28%
1995257Suspension 40%
1994148Suspension 31%
1993–Too few tests
1991133Brakes 18%
1990128Suspension 27%