2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

1,221 MOT tests in 2024. 77.3% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

120Well above average
Passed first time77.3%
Failed or needed repairs22.7%
Typical mileage at test96,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,221 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction5.3%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.8%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    59 marked dangerous
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.7%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.6%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.5%
    26 marked dangerous
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.2%
  9. Side repeaters: not working1.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes10.1%
  2. Suspension7.5%
  3. Tyres6.1%
  4. Emissions & leaks6.0%
  5. Lights & electrics4.6%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.2%
  7. Body & chassis1.1%
  8. Steering1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.2%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.5%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.1%
  5. Wheel bearings: has excessive play7.6%

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: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

In 2024, 77.3% of 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,221 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

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

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 120, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).