2000 · 24 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

246 MOT tests in 2024. 68.7% passed first time, compared with 61.5% for all cars the same age.

112Well above average
Passed first time68.7%
Failed or needed repairs31.3%
Typical mileage at test100,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 246 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.8%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.8%
  3. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.8%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.8%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.8%
  6. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.4%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.4%
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.4%
  9. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.0%
  10. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics17.5%
  2. Suspension16.3%
  3. Brakes15.0%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.3%
  5. Tyres6.1%
  6. Seat belts & airbags5.7%
  7. Body & chassis3.7%
  8. Steering2.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded11.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.2%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine9.3%
  5. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)8.9%

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 - pins and bushes: pin or bush 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 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

In 2024, 68.7% of 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 246 tests. The average for all 24-year-old cars was 61.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2000 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).