2019 · 5 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

2,425 MOT tests in 2024. 91.3% passed first time, compared with 84.9% for all cars the same age.

108Above average
Passed first time91.3%
Failed or needed repairs8.7%
Typical mileage at test60,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,425 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
    89 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
    42 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn0.8%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.7%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.5%
    16 marked dangerous
  7. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.4%
    22 marked dangerous
  8. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.4%
  9. Road Wheels - condition: fractured0.3%
    15 marked dangerous
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.3%
    8 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres5.8%
  2. Suspension0.9%
  3. Emissions & leaks0.9%
  4. Brakes0.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.7%
  6. Lights & electrics0.7%
  7. Number plates & VIN0.5%
  8. Wheels0.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.4%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.9%
  3. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn2.8%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2.7%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively 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: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. 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 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

In 2024, 91.3% of 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,425 tests. The average for all 5-year-old cars was 84.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; 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 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 108, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).