2016 · 8 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

2,697 MOT tests in 2024. 86.0% passed first time, compared with 76.6% for all cars the same age.

112Well above average
Passed first time86.0%
Failed or needed repairs14.0%
Typical mileage at test62,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,697 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
    103 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
    64 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.9%
    47 marked dangerous
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.7%
  7. Washers: not working0.7%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.7%
    28 marked dangerous
  9. Road Wheels - condition: fractured0.5%
    28 marked dangerous
  10. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres5.9%
  2. Suspension4.1%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.2%
  4. Brakes2.0%
  5. Lights & electrics1.5%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.0%
  7. Seat belts & airbags0.9%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.1%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.5%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.4%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened3.7%
  5. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn2.2%

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 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

In 2024, 86.0% of 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,697 tests. The average for all 8-year-old cars was 76.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2016 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 ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 112, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).