How reliable is the Mercedes Benz S-Class?
Owner-reported reliability data: inspection results, typical mileage, and the most common failures.
The Mercedes Benz S-Class consistently passes first-time inspections at an above-average rate. The most commonly reported issues are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre cords visible or damaged. Typical mileage by age and a year-by-year breakdown of reliability are shown below. All figures are owner-reported real-world data, not a marketing rating.
Above average reliability
Based on 8,933 inspection tests. First-time pass rate: 90.7%.
Mercedes Benz S-Class reliability by year
How the Mercedes Benz S-Class performs at first-time inspection, broken down by the year cohort. Empty cells mean we don't have enough owner-reported data for that year yet.
| Year cohort | Pass rate | Typical mileage @ 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 86.6% | – |
| 1990 | 84.7% | – |
| 1991 | 90.7% | – |
| 1992 | 81.4% | – |
| 1994 | 88.2% | – |
| 1995 | 84.9% | – |
| 1996 | 80.9% | – |
| 1997 | 84.9% | – |
| 1998 | 80.3% | – |
| 1999 | 77.8% | – |
| 2000 | 77.5% | – |
| 2001 | 75.9% | – |
| 2002 | 76.1% | – |
| 2003 | 79.9% | – |
| 2004 | 79.8% | – |
| 2005 | 81.4% | – |
| 2006 | 83.5% | – |
| 2007 | 80.3% | – |
| 2008 | 81.2% | – |
| 2009 | 79.4% | – |
Model-level pattern, not per-car prediction
These figures describe the Mercedes Benz S-Class as a model. The reliability of any individual Mercedes Benz S-Class also depends on service history, accident history, and how it was driven. Run a free VIN check to see the records attached to a specific car you're considering.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes Benz S-Class reliable?
Based on owner-reported inspection records, the Mercedes Benz S-Class consistently passes first-time inspections at an above-average rate. Its first-time inspection pass rate sits around 91%. Reliability varies by year and engine: see the year-by-year breakdown on this page for the specific cohort you're considering.
What are the common problems on the Mercedes Benz S-Class?
The most common owner-reported issues are: A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn (1.6% of inspections); Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (1.2% of inspections); A tyre cords visible or damaged (0.7% of inspections); Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.6% of inspections); a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm (0.5% of inspections).
What mileage is normal for a Mercedes Benz S-Class?
For a typical Mercedes Benz S-Class, owner-reported average mileage works out to about – at 3 years, – at 5 years, and – at 10 years. The mileage section on this page shows the full distribution, high-use vs low-use cars often differ by a factor of three.
How do I check a specific Mercedes Benz S-Class before buying?
Enter the 17-character VIN on Carlytics. The free check shows decoded specs and open safety recalls. The full vehicle history report (from EUR 8.90) cross-references owner-reported issues, mileage records, and stolen-vehicle databases for the specific car, model-level reliability tells you the pattern, the VIN check tells you the car.