2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 87.2% of Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. Across 7,206 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 2017 (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 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, S-Class cars first used in 2017 against all cars first used in 2017 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the S-Class figure was 9.0 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2017 S-Class | All cars first used 2017 | S-Class first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89.9% | 85.9% | 2,697 |
| 2022 | 89.5% | 83.9% | 2,664 |
| 2023 | 87.6% | 81.7% | 2,545 |
| 2024 | 87.2% | 79.8% | 2,390 |
| 2025 | 87.2% | 78.2% | 2,271 |
Common 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT failures
Share of the 913 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 | 23.8% | 217 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 16.2% | 148 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 9.6% | 88 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 9.3% | 85 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 6.8% | 62 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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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 2017 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2017 S-Class cars, as a share of all 7,206 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.7% | 990 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 5.6% | 406 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 5.3% | 379 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 4.4% | 317 |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively | 2.8% | 203 |
Questions about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
In 2025, 87.2% of S-Class cars first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2017 S-Class most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 42.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (26.2%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (13.9%). The single most common item was “Ball joint: excessively worn” (23.8%).
How often does a 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class fail its MOT?
In 2025, 12.8% of first tests on S-Class cars first used in 2017 did not pass first time: 11.4% failed, and a further 1.4% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 913 of 7,206 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 13.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Ball joint: has slight play” (5.6%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (5.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (4.4%) and “Brake discs: worn, but not excessively” (2.8%).
Is a 2017 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 89.9% in 2021 to 87.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2017
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2017 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2017 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2017 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2017 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics · 2017 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics
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