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Mercedes-benz S-CLASS - 1996

237.6 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1996 is 337.1 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mercedes-benz S-CLASS, model year 1996. Sample size: 133 cars, 218 tests and 518 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 133 cars

The 1996 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has an overall defect rate of 238 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the average of 330 defects per 100 vehicles for cars of the same year, marking a 28% improvement. Notably, the S-Class excels in categories such as brakes and steering, with defect rates well below the average, making it a reliable choice in these areas. However, it faces challenges in visibility, where its defect rate is higher than the average. Mileage-related trends indicate that defects increase with mileage, particularly after 124,000 miles, but overall, this model stands out positively compared to its contemporaries.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 133 cars

More model years for Mercedes-benz S-CLASS

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Other models from Mercedes-benz

Mercedes-benz 190 E Mercedes-benz 300 Mercedes-benz A Mercedes-benz A 180 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz A 180 SPORT Mercedes-benz A 200 Mercedes-benz A 250 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz A-CLASS Mercedes-benz B Mercedes-benz B-CLASS Mercedes-benz C Mercedes-benz CITAN Mercedes-benz CL Mercedes-benz CL 500 Mercedes-benz CLA Mercedes-benz CLC Mercedes-benz CLK Mercedes-benz CLS Mercedes-benz E Mercedes-benz E 220 AMG Mercedes-benz EQA 250 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz EQC 400 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz ESPRINTER Mercedes-benz EVITO Mercedes-benz G Mercedes-benz G-CLASS Mercedes-benz GL Mercedes-benz GLA Mercedes-benz GLA 180 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLA 200 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLA 250 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLA 250 EXCLUSIVE Mercedes-benz GLB 200 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLB 220 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLC Mercedes-benz GLC 300 AMG Mercedes-benz GLC 300 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLE Mercedes-benz GLS Mercedes-benz GT Mercedes-benz ML Mercedes-benz R-Class Mercedes-benz S-Class Mercedes-benz SL Mercedes-benz SLC Mercedes-benz SLK Mercedes-benz SPRINTER Mercedes-benz V Mercedes-benz VIANO Mercedes-benz VITO Mercedes-benz X

Categories

Brakes
▲ 26.1% better
100.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 136.6 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
Steering
▲ 40.6% better
18.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 30.8 / 100 tests
Visibility
▼ 29.7% worse
35.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.6 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
Lights & Electrics
▲ 19.6% better
53.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 66.2 / 100 tests
  • Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 24.4% better
177.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 234.4 / 100 tests
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
Body/Structure
▲ 83.0% better
14.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 86.6 / 100 tests
Equipment
▲ 64.6% better
9.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.0 / 100 tests
Other
▼ 0.3% worse
66.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.9 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 536 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 61
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 39
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 35
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 32
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 26
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 26
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 16
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
MINOR
Occurrences: 14
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 13

Serious faults (Top 10)

Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 4