Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand MOT pass rate and common problems
93.2% of 1,385 Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand MOT tests pass.
The S 350 L Grand passes its MOT 93.2% of the time — well above the average across all Mercedes-Benz models, which sits at 83.5%.
The Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand passes its MOT 93.2% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand?
This is the average across every Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mercedes-Benz’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 86.5% at 0–3 years compared with 93.8% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 86.5% | 104 | 33,516 miles |
| 3–6 years | 93.8% | 1,281 | 52,877 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand
The most common reason the Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand fails its MOT is tyres — present in 60.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 60.8% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 8.8% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 7.8% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Road Wheels | 6.9% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 4.9% | Missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.9% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.9% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.9% | Not working |
| Visibility | 2.0% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
Buying a used Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand: what to check
These checks follow the Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 97.6% down to 94.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 60.8% of failed Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 8.8% of failed Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 7.8% of failed Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Wheels
Recorded in 6.9% of failed Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand MOTs.
Look for cracked or badly buckled wheels, and check wheel nuts or bolts are all present.
5. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 4.9% of failed Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mercedes-Benz service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mercedes-Benz models
- Mercedes-Benz 420 — 84.1% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz 220 — 78.9% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz Eqv — 89.4% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz Vito 114 Progressive CDI — 77.4% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz Eqe — 97.6% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz Hymer — 85.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand?
- 93.2% of Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand MOT tests pass, based on 1,385 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand?
- The most common reason the Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand fails its MOT is tyres — present in 60.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand are tyres; brakes; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; brakes; suspension; wheels; number plates and vin. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mercedes-Benz S 350 L Grand's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mercedes-Benz service history guide for how to check and keep one.