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Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 (2006-2012) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 built around 2012: about average at the MOT

Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 models built around 2012 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221?

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

Key figure

17% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 models built around 2012 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 models built around 2012 involves the tyres.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221
excellent reliability2006-2012SaloonDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 7,657 tests of S-Class models registered 2006-2012.

About 1 in 15 S-Class W221 MOTs (6.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2012 (13 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,308 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). 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 20 S-Class W221 MOTs (5.5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2012 (13 years old).

Based on 1,308 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

W221 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
54517.3%
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
52919.3%

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.

How the S-Class W221 compares

At each age below, see how the S-Class W221 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 73,176 tests across 16 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2012 (13 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
54517.3%
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
52919.3%

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.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

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.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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 S-Class W221.

  1. 1

    Volkswagen Jetta

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.6%

    More still registered at 10 years: 85%, against 75% for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,638 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  2. 2

    Chevrolet Cruze

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.7%
    Dangerous
    6.7%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 on these figures.

    1,752 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  3. 3

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.1%
    Dangerous
    5.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    9,274 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  4. 4

    Volvo S40

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.8%
    Dangerous
    10.4%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 on these figures.

    2,055 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

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.

How many are still registered

75%of all Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

8 of the 99 S-Class W221 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 8 recalls

Top concerns

  • To achieve an improvement in the emissions
  • Faulty control unit may cause vehicle to perform outside specification
  • Stop start engine may not restart

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

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Engine sizes across all diesel S-Class tests (not specific to W221).

2.0 to 3.0 litres19.1%612 tests3.0 litres or more15.1%529 tests
How S-Class W221 cars have aged

How S-Class W221 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%91113151719Age at MOTBuilt around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (1,040 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 16.9% (1,020 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 18.6% (944 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 18.2% (897 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (824 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 18.6% (740 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 16.8% (701 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 17.1% (645 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (579 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 18.7% (572 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 19.3% (694 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 19.5% (635 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 17.1% (566 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 20.7% (541 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 18.4% (462 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.9% (757 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 23.7% (679 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 21.9% (635 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 23.7% (557 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (517 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 21.2% (896 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 21.5% (801 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (719 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 20.7% (632 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 21.9% (540 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 21.1% (1,200 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (1,114 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 21.7% (988 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 21.1% (829 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (714 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 22.0% (967 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 19.6% (845 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 19.2% (723 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 21.1% (635 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 19.3% (529 tests, 2025 data)2006
First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009
W221 variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz S-Class models of this age

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz S-Class built around 2012, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the W221 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

    19.3%
    Advisory: 352Fail: 26 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    14.6%
    Advisory: 209Fail: 71 (25% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    12.5%
    Advisory: 255Fail: 14 (5% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    12.0%
    Advisory: 219Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    10.6%
    Advisory: 132Fail: 6 (4% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,308 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2012 (13 years old), the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 (2006-2012) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,308 13-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 7,657 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz S-Class models first registered between 2006-2012. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.