1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

168 MOT tests in 2024. 73.2% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

113Well above average
Passed first time73.2%
Failed or needed repairs26.8%
Typical mileage at test101,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 168 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working4.2%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.0%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    10 marked dangerous
  4. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.4%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
  6. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.4%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  8. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.4%
  9. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics14.3%
  2. Suspension9.5%
  3. Brakes8.3%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.7%
  5. Emissions & leaks5.4%
  6. Seat belts & airbags4.8%
  7. Tyres3.6%
  8. Body & chassis3.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.8%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine19.6%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.7%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened10.1%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn9.5%

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: stop lamp: not working. 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 1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

In 2024, 73.2% of 1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 168 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

The most common failure reasons were stop lamp: not working; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 113, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).