MOT performance
2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 2,510 MOT tests on 2012-registered Mercedes-Benz S-Classs in 2023–2024 (on average 11 years old at test, median 93,370 miles), 77.0% passed first time, 5.5 points lower than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs failed 35% less often than comparable cars.
2,510 MOT tests on 1,291 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 77.0% | ±1.6 pts (95%), n = 2,510 |
| All Mercedes-Benz S-Classs | 82.6% | n = 55,571 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.65× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 7.6% | n = 2,510 |
| Average age at test | 11 years | n = 2,510 |
Where 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 7.6% | -11% |
| Suspension | 6.8% | -48% |
| Tyres | 6.1% | -18% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.6% | +73% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.4% | -76% |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.0% | -59% |
| Steering | 0.7% | -77% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.7% | -84% |
| Road wheels | 0.6% | +20% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.6% | +48% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.1% | -93% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 4.22% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.62% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.83% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 2.07% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.79% |
Check a specific 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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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.