2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 85.7% of Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 8,153 S-Class first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, suspension and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars first used in 2016 (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
How the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, S-Class cars first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the S-Class figure was 10.8 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2016 S-Class | All cars first used 2016 | S-Class first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88.9% | 82.7% | 3,020 |
| 2022 | 87.9% | 80.9% | 2,934 |
| 2023 | 88.4% | 78.6% | 2,792 |
| 2024 | 86.0% | 76.7% | 2,727 |
| 2025 | 85.7% | 74.9% | 2,634 |
Common 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT failures
Share of the 1,084 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 24.1% | 261 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 15.7% | 170 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 8.9% | 97 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 8.5% | 92 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 6.3% | 68 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · opens our free car check — no sign-in needed.
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 item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball 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 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 S-Class cars, as a share of all 8,153 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 14.2% | 1,159 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 6.7% | 543 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 5.2% | 426 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 4.1% | 335 |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively | 2.4% | 197 |
Questions about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
In 2025, 85.7% of S-Class cars first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2016 S-Class most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 41.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (29.0%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (14.0%). The single most common item was “Ball joint: excessively worn” (24.1%).
How often does a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class fail its MOT?
In 2025, 14.3% of first tests on S-Class cars first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 12.3% failed, and a further 1.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,084 of 8,153 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 14.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Ball joint: has slight play” (6.7%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (5.2%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (4.1%) and “Brake discs: worn, but not excessively” (2.4%).
Is a 2016 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 88.9% in 2021 to 85.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2016
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2016 S-Class?
The numbers above cover every S-Class first used in 2016 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · no sign-in needed.