Does the Mercedes-Benz S-Class fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class records 5.21 visibility failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 7.92 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−2.71, 95% interval −2.85 to −2.57). It ranks 592 of 746 models on visibility (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on visibility · check a Mercedes-Benz S-Class by registration
What exactly fails on visibility?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is “Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view”, recorded 3,463 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 3,463 | 2.33 |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 1,351 | 0.91 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 980 | 0.66 |
| Wiper blade defective | 846 | 0.57 |
| Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose | 533 | 0.36 |
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
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 body, chassis and structure failures · 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