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Mercedes-benz S-CLASS - 2012

179.5 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2012 is 249.2 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 2012. Sample size: 1,430 cars, 3,210 tests and 5,762 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 1,430 cars

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has an overall defect rate of 180 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the average rate of 246 per 100 vehicles, marking a 27% improvement. This model shows particularly strong performance in categories such as steering, visibility, and lights and electrics, all of which have lower defect rates compared to the average. However, it does have a higher issue rate with brakes, where it exceeds the average by nearly 22%. Mileage trends indicate that defect rates increase with mileage, particularly after 93,000 miles, aligning with typical patterns observed in vehicles of this age. Overall, the S-Class stands out positively in several key areas, making it a reliable choice relative to its peers.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 1,430 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
▼ 25.0% worse
129.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 103.8 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
Steering
▲ 67.4% better
4.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.2 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 33.9% better
12.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 19.2 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 84.2% better
9.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.9 / 100 tests
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 30.7% better
169.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 244.4 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
  • 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
▲ 77.9% better
5.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.2 / 100 tests
Equipment
▲ 77.4% better
1.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 6.2 / 100 tests
Other
▼ 8.9% worse
25.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 23.6 / 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
0 402 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: 919
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 731
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 555
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 485
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 360
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 298
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 285
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 217
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 158
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 119

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 158
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 96
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 51
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 50
Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 48
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 43
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 32
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 32
Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 22