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Mercedes-benz S-CLASS - 2005

291.7 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2005 is 377.4 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 2005. Sample size: 588 cars, 1,261 tests and 3,678 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 588 cars

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has an overall defect rate of 292 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the yearly average of 376 per 100, marking a 22% improvement. Notably, the model performs particularly well in categories such as Steering and Visibility, showing 37% and 34% fewer defects compared to average cars. It also has a lower incidence of issues in Lights & Electrics, Wheels, Suspensions & Axles, and Body/Structure. Mileage trends indicate that as the vehicle ages, defects increase, with the highest rate found in those exceeding 124,000 miles. Overall, this model stands out for its reliability, especially in critical functional areas.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 588 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
▼ 18.5% worse
187.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 158.5 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
Steering
▲ 37.1% better
14.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.4 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 34.5% better
18.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 28.4 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 25.3% better
82.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 110.1 / 100 tests
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 26.7% better
230.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 314.1 / 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
Body/Structure
▲ 68.0% better
19.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.5 / 100 tests
Equipment
▲ 62.0% better
4.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 12.9 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 45.0% better
25.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 46.7 / 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
0 520 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: 562
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 323
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 294
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 227
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 165
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 149
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 137
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 125
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
MINOR
Occurrences: 113
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 94

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 80
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 41
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 39
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 30
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 25
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 25
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 22
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 20
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 18