2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
5,367 MOT tests on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class are in this dataset, and 83.4% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (20.7% fail rate), the 2010 S-Class comes out 4.1pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (7.9%) and suspension (6.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, rbt (sp) and tread depth — ball joint alone was recorded 257 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.9% in the 0-30k band and 18.1% in the 150k+ band, a 10.2-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.5pp more often than petrol ones (17.0% vs 14.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 27.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 7.9% | 423 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.5% | 349 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.1% | 221 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 205 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 191 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.3% | 69 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 257 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 203 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 179 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 158 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 149 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 106 |
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 | 27.0% | 1,449 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.0% | 1,182 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.7% | 1,005 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 387 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.8% | 255 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 203 |
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 | 101 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 511 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,439 | 17.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,507 | 17.0% |
| 120-150k | 992 | 16.8% |
| 150k+ | 812 | 18.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,445 | 17.0% |
| Petrol | 922 | 14.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,227 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 1,161 | 17.1% |
| 2023 | 1,079 | 15.4% |
| 2024 | 1,006 | 16.6% |
| 2025 | 894 | 16.4% |
What to check before buying a 2010 S-Class
On a 2010 S-Class, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (7.9% 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.
- Suspension (6.5% 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.
- Tyres (4.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs pass their MOT?
83.4% of the 5,367 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Brakes, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by suspension (6.5%).
Does the 2010 S-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 18.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,367 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.