2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 72.0% of Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. Across 2,543 S-Class first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were brakes, suspension and noise, emissions and leaks.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars first used in 2009 (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
72.0%
of 754 first tests; all cars first used in 2009: 58.3%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,543
first tests, 2023–2025; 754 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
35.8%
of 754 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
109,000
middle half: 83,000–137,000 miles; all cars first used in 2009: 100,000

How the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, S-Class cars first used in 2009 against all cars first used in 2009 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the S-Class figure was 13.7 points higher.

2009 S-ClassAll cars first used in 2009
50%60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2009, test year 2021: 60.5%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2022: 60.1%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2023: 59%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2024: 58.4%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2025: 58.3%2009 S-Class, test year 2021: 70.6%2009 S-Class, test year 2022: 72.8%2009 S-Class, test year 2023: 74.1%2009 S-Class, test year 2024: 71.8%2009 S-Class, test year 2025: 72%72%58.3%
View this chart as a table
Test year2009 S-ClassAll cars first used 2009S-Class first tests
202170.6%60.5%1,050
202272.8%60.1%1,004
202374.1%59.0%953
202471.8%58.4%836
202572.0%58.3%754

Common 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT failures

Share of the 694 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%.

Brakes36.0%
Suspension31.4%
Noise, emissions and leaks26.8%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment25.2%
Tyres21.6%
Visibility11.5%
Body, chassis, structure6.5%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Ball joint: excessively worn16.3%113
On or after 01/07/2008: emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit13.1%91
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm11.5%80
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements9.4%65
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded8.2%57

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 2009 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. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  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 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2009 S-Class cars, as a share of all 2,543 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge17.3%441
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material16.4%418
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened11.8%299
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive11.3%288
Brake pads: wearing thin8.9%226

Questions about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

In 2025, 72.0% of S-Class cars first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2009 S-Class most often fail its MOT on?

Brakes (in 36.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (31.4%) and noise, emissions and leaks (26.8%). The single most common item was “Ball joint: excessively worn” (16.3%).

How often does a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class fail its MOT?

In 2025, 28.0% of first tests on S-Class cars first used in 2009 did not pass first time: 22.0% failed, and a further 6.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 694 of 2,543 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 17.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (16.4%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (11.8%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (11.3%) and “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.9%).

Is a 2009 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 70.6% in 2021 to 72.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2009

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

2009 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2009 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2009 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2009 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. “2009 S-Class” means a Mercedes-Benz S-Class whose date of first use falls in 2009 (58, 09 and 59 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 2009, 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.