Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Registered from 1990 to 2023.
About this model
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, formerly known as "special class", is a series of full-sized luxury sedans and coupés produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz. The S-Class is the designation for top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz models and was officially introduced in 1972 with the W116, and has remained in use ever since. The S-Class is the flagship vehicle for Mercedes-Benz, being positioned above the other Mercedes-Benz models.
From the Wikipedia article Mercedes-Benz S-Class, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2016 3.0 diesel. 220 of 2,304 tests failed, 10%.
Better than 78% of 2016 cars. The typical one fails 13%, across 899 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 48% | 105 |
| Suspension | 33% | 73 |
| Brakes | 12% | 27 |
| Visibility | 12% | 26 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 7% | 16 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 6% | 14 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
Where it stands out against its peers
- Seat belts and airbags: failed more often than 92% of 2016 cars — 6% of its 220 failed tests, where an ordinary 2016 car has 1%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 48% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Suspension — 33% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Brakes — 12% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Exhaust and emissions — 7% of its failures
- Visibility — 12% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Seat belts and airbags — 6% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 9% of its inspections, against the 20% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 5% | 6% | 79 | |
| 20–40k miles | 8% | 10% | 452 | |
| 40–60k miles | 11% | 13% | 678 | |
| 60–80k miles | 10% | 16% | 443 | |
| 80–100k miles | 11% | 18% | 254 | |
| 100–120k miles | 8% | 19% | 130 | |
| 120–140k miles | 6% | 19% | 77 | |
| 140–160k miles | 10% | 19% | 60 | |
| 160–180k miles | 5% | 18% | 44 | |
| 200k+ miles | 9% | 20% | 58 |
2,275 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 40k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 3.0 hybrid · 362 hp · 2435 kg · 3179 mm wheelbase · 0.8 L/100km (WLTP) · 240 Wh/km |
| 2021 | 2.9 diesel · 326 hp · 2083 kg · 3174 mm wheelbase · 7.3 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 2.9 diesel · 333 hp · 2102 kg · 3129 mm wheelbase · 7.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 2.9 diesel · 335 hp · 2099 kg · 3123 mm wheelbase · 7.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 2.9 diesel · 335 hp · 2082 kg · 3128 mm wheelbase · 7.0 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 3.0 diesel · 313 hp · 2038 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 6.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 3.0 diesel · 255 hp · 2037 kg · 3112 mm wheelbase · 6.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 3.0 diesel · 255 hp · 2039 kg · 3098 mm wheelbase · 6.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 3.0 diesel · 255 hp · 2038 kg · 3111 mm wheelbase · 6.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 3.0 diesel · 255 hp · 2106 kg · 3094 mm wheelbase · 7.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 3.0 diesel · 255 hp · 2106 kg · 3105 mm wheelbase · 7.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 3.0 diesel · 255 hp · 2100 kg · 3059 mm wheelbase · 7.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00017/22
A trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00045/22
The vacuum-controlled coolant pump may not be tightly sealed between the coolant and vacuum circuits. This may result in the coolant leaking into the vacuum circuit leading to an electrochemical reaction, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00055/22
Due to an incorrect material composition of the Mode 2 charging cable for charging at a household power socket, the insulation resistance of the rubber buffer could be impaired, overriding the protective function of the charging cable. Furthermore, in combination with an error in the householdinfrastructure, the activation of the protective device in the household electrical circuit might be prevented. This could cause the user to have an electrical shock and could lead to a fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00185/23
The aluminium bolts of the steering box may break. This can lead to detachment of the steering box from the power block, creating a risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00284/22
When the vehicle stops the airbag control unit may deactivate the passenger airbag. This could increase the risk of injury in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00485/24
The catch fixing the wheel hubcaps may not withstand the pressures encountered during driving. In such cases, the hubcaps could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of accident and injury to other road users. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00497/22
The airbag control unit might not have been bolted according to specifications and might detect incorrect acceleration values when the vehicle is moving. In consequence, the restraint systems might not be activated completely, which can increase the risk of an injury in case of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00610/22
Improper welding on the rear axle can cause the thrust rod to come loose from the rear axle bracket. This may cause the vehicle to swerve in response to the road surface or the vehicle may skid sideways during emergency braking. This leads to loss of control over the vehicle, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
15 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.