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Mercedes-benz S-CLASS - 1997

246.9 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1997 is 338.4 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 1997. Sample size: 138 cars, 275 tests and 679 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 138 cars

The 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has an overall defect rate of 247 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the average of 335 per 100, indicating a 26% better performance. This model particularly excels in areas such as steering, wheels and suspensions, and body structure, showing notably fewer defects compared to similar vehicles. However, it faces higher issues related to visibility, where defect rates are above average. Mileage trends suggest that defects increase with age, particularly in the higher mileage brackets.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 138 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
▲ 20.1% better
112.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 141.1 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
Steering
▲ 33.6% better
18.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.4 / 100 tests
  • Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
Visibility
▼ 18.3% worse
29.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
Lights & Electrics
▲ 14.5% better
56.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.5 / 100 tests
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 21.1% better
197.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 250.7 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 87.8% better
10.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 83.8 / 100 tests
Equipment
▲ 73.8% better
5.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.1 / 100 tests
Other
▼ 3.8% worse
63.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.0 / 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
0 535 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: 79
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 71
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 61
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 48
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 40
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 30
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 21
Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 15
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 14
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
MINOR
Occurrences: 14

Serious faults (Top 10)

Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A wheel: with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 4