2006 · 18 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

1,007 MOT tests in 2024. 76.7% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

137Well above average
Passed first time76.7%
Failed or needed repairs23.3%
Typical mileage at test107,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,007 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.9%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
    47 marked dangerous
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.8%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value1.7%
    28 marked dangerous
  5. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1.5%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.4%
  7. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.4%
  8. Position lamp: not working1.3%
  9. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
    19 marked dangerous
  10. Pre 01/07/2008 Turbo: emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit1.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes13.7%
  2. Lights & electrics8.5%
  3. Suspension7.1%
  4. Tyres6.3%
  5. Emissions & leaks5.4%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.5%
  7. Body & chassis1.2%
  8. Steering1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.6%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded15.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.5%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.5%
  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 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

In 2024, 76.7% of 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,007 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 137, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).