Used car guide

2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class first registered in 2016: we looked at the 2,634 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,634MOTs of 2016 cars, done in 2025
86%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
7,800typical miles a year
4×the usual rate for ball joint

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Ball joint4× usual
    Mercedes-Benz S-Class
    11.2% All 2016 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.5% of all 2016 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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 0.8% here, against 4.3% of all 2016 cars.

Common 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    24% 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.

  • Brakes
    13% 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.

  • Suspension
    13% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    2% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

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
2023307Tyres 14%
2022268Tyres 13%
2021–Too few tests
2020254Tyres 19%
20192,195Tyres 19%
20182,177Tyres 19%
20172,265Tyres 21%
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%
2003522Brakes 34%
2002291Brakes 35%
2001289Brakes 36%
2000203Suspension 33%
1999144Brakes 37%
1998158Brakes 32%
1997106Brakes 34%
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars first registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score