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Mercedes-Benz EQS V297 (2021-present) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz EQS V297 built around 2022: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Mercedes-Benz EQS V297 models built around 2022 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz EQS V297?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

8% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz EQS V297 models built around 2022 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 6% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz EQS V297 models built around 2022 involves the tyres.

Mercedes-Benz EQS V297
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2021-presentSaloonELECTRICITY

Based on 574 tests of EQS models registered 2021+.

About 1 in 7 electricity EQS cars registered in 2022 (15.4%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 488 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 40 EQS V297 MOTs (2.3%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2022 (3 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 574 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 1.3% and 3.8%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 12 EQS V297 MOTs (7.7%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2022 (3 years old).

Based on 574 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 5.8% and 10.1%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

V297 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
57410.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 3 years old.

How the EQS V297 compares

At each age below, see how the EQS V297 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 63,174 tests across 19 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2022 (3 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
57410.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the EQS V297.

  1. 1

    MG 4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.9%
    Dangerous
    2.8%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 2.8%, against 7.7% for the Mercedes-Benz EQS V297.

    2,188 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  2. 2

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.4%
    Dangerous
    4.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.1%, against 7.7% for the Mercedes-Benz EQS V297.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,970 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  3. 3

    Porsche Taycan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.7%
    Dangerous
    5.5%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 5.5%, against 7.7% for the Mercedes-Benz EQS V297.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,967 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  4. 4

    Audi A4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.4%
    Dangerous
    5.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    85%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 5.2%, against 7.7% for the Mercedes-Benz EQS V297.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    8,054 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

15 recalls in all

13 of the 15 EQS V297 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 13 recalls

Top concerns

  • On certain vehicles the bolting of the rear seat belt buckles might be fastened with an insufficient tightening torque.
  • On affected vehicles the centre airbag may not meet specification. In the event of a crash the airbag may not inflate a
  • The thread of the towing device in the front or rear bumper of certain vehicles might not correspond to the specificatio

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

V297 variants compared
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz EQS models of this age

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz EQS built around 2022, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the V297 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.6%
    Advisory: 144Fail: 19 (12% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.1%
    Advisory: 33Fail: 42 (56% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    5.6%
    Advisory: 34Fail: 12 (26% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    2.8%
    Advisory: 12Fail: 9 (43% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    Windscreen damaged, but the driver can still see clearly

    1.7%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 574 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz EQS V297?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2022 (3 years old), the Mercedes-Benz EQS V297 (2021-present) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 574 3-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 574 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz EQS models first registered from 2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.