Does the Mercedes-Benz S-Class fail the MOT on body, chassis and structure more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class records 1.16 body, chassis and structure failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 5.76 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−4.60, 95% interval −4.72 to −4.47). It ranks 539 of 663 models on body, chassis and structure (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on body, chassis and structure · check a Mercedes-Benz S-Class by registration
What exactly fails on body, chassis and structure?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is “Exhaust system leaking or insecure”, recorded 318 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaust system leaking or insecure | 318 | 0.21 |
| Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 278 | 0.19 |
| Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point | 170 | 0.11 |
| Fuel system leaking excessively or a risk of fire | 154 | 0.10 |
| A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated | 137 | 0.09 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 148,892 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Mercedes-Benz S-Class gets a body, chassis and structure advisory, how often does it fail next time?
5.2% of Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOTs with a body, chassis and structure advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 3,120 miles later (1,837 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,837 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Mercedes-Benz S-Class 1999 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2000 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2001 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2002 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2003 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2004 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2005 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2006 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2007 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2008 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2009 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2010 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2011 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2012 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2013 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2014 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2015 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2016 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2017 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2018 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2019 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2020 · Mercedes-Benz S-Class in Norway · Mercedes-Benz S-Class in Finland · Mercedes-Benz S-Class in the Netherlands · Mercedes-Benz S-Class by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz S-Class brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz S-Class lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz S-Class noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz S-Class road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz S-Class seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz S-Class steering failures · Mercedes-Benz S-Class suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz S-Class tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz S-Class visibility failures