2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,458 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 81.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 20.0% in the 150k+ group versus 10.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 9.1% | 769 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.4% | 541 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.0% | 507 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.3% | 446 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 420 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 226 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 348 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 344 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 340 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 280 |
| 5 | Pre 01/07/2008 Turbo | 204 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 178 |
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 | 35.8% | 3,031 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.7% | 2,091 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.1% | 1,871 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 11.3% | 958 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.6% | 387 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 373 |
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 | 180 | 10.0% |
| 30-60k | 714 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,663 | 16.1% |
| 90-120k | 2,285 | 19.0% |
| 120-150k | 2,031 | 20.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,578 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,334 | 19.6% |
| Petrol | 2,122 | 16.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,055 | 19.0% |
| 2022 | 1,924 | 18.7% |
| 2023 | 1,714 | 19.0% |
| 2024 | 1,478 | 19.1% |
| 2025 | 1,287 | 17.9% |
What to check before buying a 2007 S-Class
Before buying a 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 9.1% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (9.1% 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 (6.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs pass their MOT?
81.2% of the 8,458 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Brakes, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by suspension (6.4%).
Does the 2007 S-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.0% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,458 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.