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Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliability by build year

Coverage 1999-present4 named generationsSaloonPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Mercedes-Benz S-Class built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Mercedes-Benz S-Class models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Mercedes-Benz S-Class by number plate

Key figure

9% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz S-Class models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 10% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz S-Class models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

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

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Over the last three years, fail rates rose, then fell back. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your S-Class's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

S-Class W223

W223 (2021-present)

Not enough tests to rate
HYBRID ELECTRIC

11.6% fail rate, built around 2022 (3 years old)

Likely between 7.6% and 17.2%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 10 MOTs, 10.1%)

From 173 MOT tests at this ageView details →
S-Class W222

W222 (2013-2020)

Excellent
DIESELPETROLHYBRID ELECTRICUNKNOWN

9.4% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 2,348 MOT tests at this ageView details →
S-Class W221

W221 (2006-2012)

Excellent
DIESELPETROL

17.4% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 1,308 MOT tests at this ageView details →
S-Class W220

W220 (1999-2005)

Excellent
DIESELPETROL

19.6% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 1,197 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

See every build year for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Side-by-side

Mercedes-Benz S-Class generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
W223 (2021-present)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate11.6%likely between 7.6% and 17.2%built around 2022 (3 years old)from 173 MOT tests at this age
W222 (2013-2020)
Excellent
Excellent9.4%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 2,348 MOT tests at this age
W221 (2006-2012)
Excellent
Excellent17.4%built around 2012 (13 years old)from 1,308 MOT tests at this age
W220 (1999-2005)
Excellent
Excellent19.6%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 1,197 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the S-Class, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Mercedes-Benz S-Class fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mercedes-Benz S-Class ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
17311.6%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2539.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,0948.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
2,4038.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,3489.4%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,86412.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,60512.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
2,10111.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,43912.4%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,16717.1%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,30817.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
1,04619.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
84419.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,01523.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,15620.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,21420.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
75819.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
55322.8%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
62620.3%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
54022.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
33022.1%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
27222.8%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,19719.6%

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 16 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Mercedes-Benz S-Class stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Mercedes-Benz models

2nd of 15

2nd lowest fail rate of 15 Mercedes-Benz models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

Against other saloons

5th of 29

5th lowest fail rate of 29 saloons with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

Against the UK average

9.5%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz S-Class models

These issues come from 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz S-Class models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

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

    15.0%
    Advisory: 537Fail: 31 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    7.2%
    Advisory: 163Fail: 65 (29% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    4.9%
    Advisory: 129Fail: 15 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    3.9%
    Advisory: 142Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    3.7%
    Advisory: 71Fail: 50 (41% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,348 MOT tests on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz S-Class models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz S-Class models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres32%
  2. Suspension + Tyres22%
  3. Other + Tyres18%
  4. Brakes + Suspension18%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 338 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

75%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

99 recalls in all

69 of the 99 Mercedes-Benz S-Class recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 Critical
  • 64 more

Top concerns

  • On activation of the curtain air bag the pillar cover may detach
  • Some occupant safety systems may malfunction in the event of a collision
  • Oil leak from turbocharger feed pipe.

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

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    3.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.4%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 1.4%, against 2.8% for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

    1,615 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Porsche Panamera

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4%
    Dangerous
    5.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    86.2%

    More still registered at 10 years: 86%, against 75% for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

    1,105 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    BMW M3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.2%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz S-Class on these figures.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,139 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    BMW 7 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.5%
    Dangerous
    3.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.9%

    More still registered at 10 years: 80%, against 75% for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

    1,659 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Mercedes-Benz S-Class across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 2nd lowest fail rate of 15 Mercedes-Benz models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 2,348 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Mercedes-Benz S-Class ever sold: 27,433 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 2,348 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.