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Mercedes-benz S-CLASS - 2001

301.9 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2001 is 372.8 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 2001. Sample size: 366 cars, 751 tests and 2,267 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 366 cars

The 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has an overall defect rate of 302 defects per 100 vehicles, which is 18% lower than the average for cars of the same year. Notably, this model performs better in several categories, including steering, visibility, and body structure, with defects significantly lower than the average. Mileage trends indicate that as the distance driven increases, defect rates also rise, particularly in the highest mileage bracket of over 124,000 miles. Overall, the S-Class stands out for its reliability, especially in steering and visibility, making it a compelling choice within its age group.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 366 cars

Categories

Brakes
▲ 4.1% better
160.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 167.0 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▲ 24.4% better
18.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.0 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 28.6% better
21.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.4 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 3.0% better
85.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 88.1 / 100 tests
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 27.5% better
212.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 292.4 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▲ 30.0% better
50.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 71.9 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
Equipment
▲ 9.3% better
14.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 16.1 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 26.3% better
41.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 55.6 / 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
0 537 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)

Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 212
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 194
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 135
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 133
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 107
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 90
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 70
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 63
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 59
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 56

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 63
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 30
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 20
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 14