2017 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class2.9L Diesel

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class presents a clean bill of health as of its most recent MOT on 28 July 2025 at 78,611 miles, where it passed with zero defects. The maintenance trend is clearly improving. A year prior, on 19 June 2025 at 75,747 miles, the vehicle also passed without advisories or failures. This marks a distinct turnaround from the 2023 test cycle, where a failure on 18 September 2023 at 56,127 miles flagged a worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint, play in the front steering rack inner joints, and rear brake pads wearing thin. The vehicle retested the following day and passed, though the tester still noted worn rear brake pads and an offside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit. The subsequent three annual tests have been entirely defect-free, indicating that the previous owner addressed the suspension and steering wear items and has since maintained the car to a high standard with no recurring faults. The mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable for a vehicle of this age. Covering roughly 8,735 miles per year over nine years, the S-Class sits squarely within typical usage parameters. The record shows a steady progression from 56,127 miles in September 2023 to 66,517 miles by October 2024, then to 75,747 miles by June 2025, and finally 78,611 miles by July 2025. No anomalous gaps or sudden jumps in odometer readings are present, suggesting regular use rather than long periods of dormancy or aggressive high-mileage bursts. The MOT history is complete and sequential, with no missing annual tests in the provided window. Despite the clean recent record, a prospective buyer should focus inspection efforts on the front suspension and steering components. The 2023 failure for a worn lower suspension arm ball joint and steering rack inner joint play points to a known weak point on this generation S-Class, particularly given the car's weight and the stress placed on these bushes and joints. A physical inspection should check for any renewed play, knocking, or uneven tyre wear that could signal the early stages of the same issues returning. The rear braking system also warrants attention. Rear pads were flagged as wearing thin in both September 2023 tests, and while the car has since passed cleanly, the rear calipers and discs should be measured for wear and the handbrake mechanism checked for proper operation, as binding rear calipers are a known concern on these models. Finally, a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion is advisable. While no structural rust advisories have appeared in the MOT record, the vehicle is now approaching ten years of age, and surface corrosion on subframes, suspension mounting points, and brake lines can develop silently between annual tests.