2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class · 1,598 MOT tests
2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliability
2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs fail 29.4% of first MOT tests, 31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 21 S-Class years (1,598 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz S-Classs: 15.8%)
- 29.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz S-Classs: 15.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 31% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 108,454
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,598
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- 2003 cars: 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 5.3% of tests fail here (57% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 60% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics12%
- Suspension10%
- Brakes7.6%
- Tyres5.8%
- Seat belts and airbags5.3%
- Body, chassis and structure4.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 3.88%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Position lamp not working 2.82%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.57%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.5%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.44%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.32%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.39%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (12.95%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.57%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (8.32%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.82%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (6.51%)
Other years
Every Mercedes-Benz S-Class year
The full picture: Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliability. Before you pay for any Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?
2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs fail 29.4% of first MOT tests, 31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 21 S-Class years (1,598 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT?
Most often airbag warning lamp shows fault (3.88% of tests), position lamp not working (2.82% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (2.57% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class shows 108,454 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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