2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

607 MOT tests in 2024. 74.3% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

130Well above average
Passed first time74.3%
Failed or needed repairs25.7%
Typical mileage at test116,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 607 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.1%
  2. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.8%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
    28 marked dangerous
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.0%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.0%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.6%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.5%
  8. Position lamp: not working1.5%
  9. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.5%
    16 marked dangerous
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics12.4%
  2. Suspension11.2%
  3. Brakes10.7%
  4. Tyres6.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.9%
  6. Seat belts & airbags4.4%
  7. Body & chassis3.6%
  8. Emissions & leaks2.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.6%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.0%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.8%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.7%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.7%

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: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

In 2024, 74.3% of 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 607 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 130, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).