Petrol Mercedes-Benz S-Class: MOT pass rate

84.8% of petrol Mercedes-Benz S-Class pass the MOT first time, measured across 6,835 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 81,126.

Petrol against the other Mercedes-Benz S-Class versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Mercedes-Benz S-Class specifically, hybrid is the strongest at 90.2%, and this petrol version sits 0.4 points below the 85.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average petrol Mercedes-Benz S-Class had covered 81,126 miles at test, against 99,135 for the diesel and 68,241 for the hybrid. That is above average, the point where suspension bushes, drop links and exhaust corrosion start showing up as advisories before they become failures.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a petrol Mercedes-Benz S-Class

1. An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction, 0.8% of tests (1.92x the national rate for this defect)
2. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1% of tests (1.53x the national rate for this defect)
3. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4.7% of tests
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2.4% of tests
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.3% of tests
6. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.4% of tests
7. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.4% of tests
8. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.3% of tests
9. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1.1% of tests
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 1% of tests

From 6,909 DVSA-tracked petrol Mercedes-Benz S-Class tests, 2024, split out from the Mercedes-Benz S-Class's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.03% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a petrol Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 3.6% of tests (5.62x the national rate for this defect)
2. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 2.4% of tests (4.26x the national rate for this defect)
3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 11.8% of tests (1.91x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 7.6% of tests (1.36x the national rate for this defect)
5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 21.5% of tests, also fails
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 11.3% of tests, also fails
7. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 9.9% of tests
8. A tyre seriously damaged, 8.6% of tests, also fails
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 7.2% of tests, also fails
10. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3.1% of tests

From 6,909 DVSA-tracked petrol Mercedes-Benz S-Class tests, 2024.

Other Mercedes-Benz S-Class fuel types

• Diesel Mercedes-Benz S-Class - 85.2%
• Hybrid Mercedes-Benz S-Class - 90.2%

All Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT data · Every model