2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

361 MOT tests in 2024. 71.5% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

123Well above average
Passed first time71.5%
Failed or needed repairs28.5%
Typical mileage at test105,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 361 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault5.3%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.9%
  3. Position lamp: not working3.6%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.0%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    19 marked dangerous
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.2%
  7. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.7%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
    8 marked dangerous
  9. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics18.3%
  2. Suspension13.9%
  3. Brakes10.2%
  4. Seat belts & airbags7.2%
  5. Tyres6.6%
  6. Emissions & leaks3.3%
  7. Body & chassis3.0%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.2%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.0%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.5%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.1%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

In 2024, 71.5% of 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 361 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

The most common failure reasons were srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 123, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).