2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 72.9% of Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars first used in 2008 passed their MOT first time, against 57.2% for all cars first used in 2008. Across 2,867 S-Class first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were brakes, lamps and electrical equipment and noise, emissions and leaks.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars first used in 2008 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
72.9%
of 814 first tests; all cars first used in 2008: 57.2%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,867
first tests, 2023–2025; 814 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
32.6%
of 814 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
111,000
middle half: 84,000–139,500 miles; all cars first used in 2008: 105,500

How the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, S-Class cars first used in 2008 against all cars first used in 2008 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the S-Class figure was 15.7 points higher.

2008 S-ClassAll cars first used in 2008
50%60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2008, test year 2021: 58%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2022: 57.9%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2023: 57.4%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2024: 56.9%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2025: 57.2%2008 S-Class, test year 2021: 74.5%2008 S-Class, test year 2022: 73%2008 S-Class, test year 2023: 73.7%2008 S-Class, test year 2024: 73.9%2008 S-Class, test year 2025: 72.9%72.9%57.2%
View this chart as a table
Test year2008 S-ClassAll cars first used 2008S-Class first tests
202174.5%58.0%1,230
202273.0%57.9%1,180
202373.7%57.4%1,071
202473.9%56.9%982
202572.9%57.2%814

Common 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT failures

Share of the 759 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Brakes36.2%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment31.4%
Noise, emissions and leaks28.3%
Suspension28.3%
Tyres22.1%
Visibility15.5%
Body, chassis, structure5.5%
Road Wheels4.2%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Ball joint: excessively worn14.0%106
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm9.7%74
Position lamp: not working9.6%73
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements8.4%64
On or after 01/07/2008: emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit7.9%60

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

Typical repair costs for common MOT failures

Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an S-Class in particular, and not a quote.

Failure itemTypical jobTypical UK priceUsual range
Ball joint: excessively wornBall joint replacement£90£60–£150

From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.

What to check on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  2. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  3. Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.

Common 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2008 S-Class cars, as a share of all 2,867 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge19.6%563
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material18.3%524
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive12.8%367
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened12.0%344
Brake pads: wearing thin8.3%239

Questions about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

In 2025, 72.9% of S-Class cars first used in 2008 passed their MOT first time, against 57.2% for all cars first used in 2008. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2008 S-Class most often fail its MOT on?

Brakes (in 36.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (31.4%) and noise, emissions and leaks (28.3%). The single most common item was “Ball joint: excessively worn” (14.0%).

How often does a 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class fail its MOT?

In 2025, 27.1% of first tests on S-Class cars first used in 2008 did not pass first time: 22.1% failed, and a further 5.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 759 of 2,867 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 19.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (18.3%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (12.8%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.0%) and “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.3%).

Is a 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 74.5% in 2021 to 72.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2008

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2008 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2008 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2008 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2008 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2008 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2008 S-Class” means a Mercedes-Benz S-Class whose date of first use falls in 2008 (57, 08 and 58 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2008, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Repair prices are typical UK prices for the job from published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026 — not for this model, and not a quote. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.