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Mercedes-benz S-CLASS - 2002

290.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2002 is 375.3 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 2002. Sample size: 396 cars, 746 tests and 2,165 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 396 cars

The 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class shows a lower overall defect rate compared to the average car of the same year, with 290 defects per 100 vehicles versus 374. Notably, it performs better in several categories: steering issues are significantly lower at 14.75% compared to the average of 25.13%, and visibility defects are also reduced to 21.98% against 29.25% for the average. While the number of defects tends to increase with mileage, the S-Class maintains a relatively stable performance across different mileage segments, particularly excelling in the 0–31,000 miles range. Overall, this model demonstrates a strong reliability profile, particularly in steering and body structure compared to its peers.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 396 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
▲ 9.2% better
151.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 167.0 / 100 tests
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▲ 41.9% better
14.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.3 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 25.7% better
22.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.6 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 24.3% better
72.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 96.0 / 100 tests
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 22.6% better
228.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 295.2 / 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
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▲ 47.0% better
36.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 68.9 / 100 tests
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▼ 10.1% worse
16.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 14.9 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 28.9% better
38.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 53.6 / 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)

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 195
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 164
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 162
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 155
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 110
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 97
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 68
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 62
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 57
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 51

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 57
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 28
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 11