2015 · 9 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

2,153 MOT tests in 2024. 86.4% passed first time, compared with 73.5% for all cars the same age.

118Well above average
Passed first time86.4%
Failed or needed repairs13.6%
Typical mileage at test75,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,153 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.6%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
    64 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.1%
    32 marked dangerous
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.0%
  6. Road Wheels - condition: fractured0.8%
    34 marked dangerous
  7. Washers: not working0.7%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.7%
    19 marked dangerous
  9. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.6%
    18 marked dangerous
  10. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres5.8%
  2. Suspension3.4%
  3. Lights & electrics2.6%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.9%
  5. Brakes1.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.5%
  7. Seat belts & airbags1.3%
  8. Wheels1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.4%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5.1%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.2%
  5. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn3.7%

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 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

In 2024, 86.4% of 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,153 tests. The average for all 9-year-old cars was 73.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2015 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; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 118, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).