MOT performance
2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 2,050 MOT tests on 2008-registered Mercedes-Benz S-Classs in 2023–2024 (on average 15 years old at test, median 109,410 miles), 73.8% passed first time, 8.8 points lower than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs failed 37% less often than comparable cars.
2,050 MOT tests on 1,112 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 73.8% | ±1.9 pts (95%), n = 2,050 |
| All Mercedes-Benz S-Classs | 82.6% | n = 55,571 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.63× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 9.2% | n = 2,050 |
| Average age at test | 15 years | n = 2,050 |
Where 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 9.6% | -19% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 8.5% | -55% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.8% | +43% |
| Suspension | 7.7% | -56% |
| Tyres | 5.7% | -25% |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.7% | -43% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 1.1% | -85% |
| Road wheels | 1.0% | +69% |
| Steering | 0.4% | -88% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% | -28% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.2% | -88% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 3.71% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.78% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.49% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 2.39% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.10% |
Check a specific 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.