2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
2,564 MOT tests on the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class are in this dataset, and 78.9% of them passed. That is 3.0 percentage points better than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.9%) and suspension (10.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, ball joint and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 142 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.1% in the 0-30k band and 22.0% in the 150k+ band, a 9.9-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.2pp more often than petrol ones (24.2% vs 20.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.7% in 2021 to 17.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 280 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.3% | 263 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.9% | 178 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 125 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.8% | 122 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.2% | 108 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 142 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 124 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 99 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 97 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 96 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 88 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.5% | 885 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.6% | 682 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.9% | 613 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 410 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.2% | 363 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 266 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 66 | 12.1% |
| 30-60k | 320 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 512 | 17.0% |
| 90-120k | 716 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 567 | 26.6% |
| 150k+ | 350 | 22.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,940 | 20.1% |
| Diesel | 623 | 24.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 794 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 585 | 19.7% |
| 2023 | 451 | 19.5% |
| 2024 | 405 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 329 | 17.3% |
What to check before buying a 2001 S-Class
On a 2001 S-Class, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (6.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 2,564 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by suspension (10.3%).
Does the 2001 S-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.1% in the 0-30k band to 22.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,564 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.