2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 3.0L Diesel · JMF 1N

Rear tyre wear has emerged as the dominant mechanical theme in the MOT history of this 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, with both near and offside rear tyres flagged at the 2024 test (where the nearside was classed as Dangerous at below 1.6mm of tread) and again as advisories at the September 2025 examination, which recorded a pass. This recurring rear axle tyre issue sits alongside an earlier pattern of front tyre wear, with both front tyres noted at the legal limit in 2022 and 2023, plus slight cracking or perishing on the fronts in 2021. Taken together, the record suggests uneven or premature tyre consumption rather than isolated incidents, and any prospective buyer should view tyre life as an ongoing budgetary item rather than a one-off cost. The single recorded failure on 2024-09-16 was tyre-related and was rectified within two days for the subsequent pass on 2024-09-18, indicating the defect was addressed promptly rather than left to deteriorate. Mileage accumulation across the recorded tests averages roughly 6,800 miles per year over an eleven-year life, which is broadly typical for a luxury saloon of this vintage and does not point to excessive motorway mileage or extended periods of standing unused. Tests have been carried out consistently on an annual basis from 2020 through 2025 without any multi-year gaps, so there is no evidence of the vehicle being laid up or off the road for prolonged stretches. At 75,045 recorded miles, consumables such as brake pads have already been flagged as wearing thin at the rear in 2023, and combined with the average annual mileage, a buyer should expect further brake disc and pad attention as mileage progresses, particularly as S-Class components tend to be more costly than mainstream equivalents. Beyond the tyre and brake wear pattern, two advisories stand out as worth investigating physically before purchase. The 2021 test recorded a nearside rear oil leak from the drive shaft seal, noted as not excessive at the time, and given that seals of this type tend to deteriorate gradually rather than self-seal, a close inspection underneath for fresh oil residue around the differential and driveshaft area is worthwhile. Additionally, the 2022 test failure for an inoperative or malfunctioning Engine Management Indicator (MIL) represents the only non-tyre mechanical defect in the record. While the vehicle subsequently passed, the underlying cause of that warning should be established through the vehicle's diagnostic history, as intermittent emissions or sensor faults on petrol S-Class models can relate to lambda sensors, catalytic converter efficiency, or induction leaks, any of which would be relevant to a roadworthiness check. On a physical inspection and test drive, particular attention should be paid to the components repeatedly flagged in the record. Check all four tyres for both shoulder wear and any inner-edge wear pattern, as consistent edge wear across both axles can indicate tracking or suspension geometry issues, particularly worn rear suspension bushes or control arm links, which are known wear items on the S-Class chassis. Feel for any pulling to one side under braking, which could indicate a binding rear caliper given the rear brake pad advisory in 2023, and listen for clonks or knocks from the rear over uneven surfaces. Under the vehicle, look for signs of the previously noted drive shaft seal weep, and on start-up verify that the engine management light behaves correctly, illuminating and then extinguishing as expected, with no stored fault codes evident on a diagnostic read.