Used car guide · 1990–2026

Mercedes-Benz S-Class common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mercedes-Benz S-Class, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 77,358 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1993 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Too few Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars first registered in 1993 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as a whole.

28on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 1993 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319911990

What usually goes wrong with a Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Ball joint

    up to 6.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 5.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Flexible couplings

    up to 35× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

  • Diesel smoke emissions

    up to 4.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Airbag warning light

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class did best (77% passed first time, 21 points above all 2006 cars) and the 2023 did worst (95%, 3 points above all 2023 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202395%92% +3513
202295%89% +6651
202189%87% +2181 (small sample)
202093%87% +6775
201991%85% +66,969
201890%83% +76,956
201787%80% +77,118
201687%77% +108,055
201587%74% +136,498
201487%70% +174,858
201380%67% +132,948
201278%64% +143,634
201179%62% +172,761
201079%60% +192,549
200973%59% +142,529
200873%57% +162,858
200775%57% +183,814
200677%56% +213,082
200571%57% +141,569
200475%57% +181,856
200373%57% +161,931
200271%58% +131,143
200171%60% +111,009
200070%61% +9768
199970%63% +7491 (small sample)
199875%65% +10501
199775%65% +10354 (small sample)
199680%66% +14319 (small sample)
199575%67% +8258 (small sample)
199480%67% +13149 (small sample)
199184%71% +13133 (small sample)
199077%72% +5128 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 6.1× as often on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score