2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 3.2L Diesel · RG04 AAU
2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (3.2L, diesel). First registered 31 Dec 2004. Recorded mileage 200,938 miles. MOT expired on 10 Jun 2024. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class
- Year / Origin
- 2004 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 10 Jun 2024
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 200,938 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 3.2L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
RG04 AAU Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 12/06/2023
- 200,938 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (5 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
RG04 AAU MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (RG04 AAU) between April 2022 and June 2023.
The record contains 2 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 12 June 2023 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (5 issues), Lighting (4 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 2 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii))”; “Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii))”; “Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii))”.
RG04 AAU Mileage History
- 19/04/2022197,234 mi
- 26/04/2022197,375 mi+141 mi
- 12/06/2023200,938 mi+3,563 mi
Average of roughly 3,229 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with extreme caution regarding t
When inspecting this vehicle, you must prioritise a full independent pre-purchase inspection. Given the 2022 MOT history, which included failures for leaking brake pipes, worn brake pads, and parking brake efficiency, it is essential to verify that these components were replaced with high-quality parts rather than temporary fixes. Check for any documentation confirming the specific nature of the repairs performed after the 2022 failure.
Furthermore, the 2022 failure regarding the Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) warning lamp is a critical concern for a vehicle of this age. Ensure that all airbags and safety sensors are fully operational, as electrical gremlins are common in luxury vehicles from this era and can be prohibitively expensive to diagnose and rectify.
As a 3.2-litre diesel, this S-Class will be expensive to run. You should expect significant fuel consumption in urban environments, and the vehicle will likely fall into the highest VED tax bands for its age. Insurance premiums may also be higher than average due to the vehicle's age, luxury status, and the cost of sourcing genuine Mercedes-Benz parts.
Maintenance costs for an S-Class of this vintage are rarely low. You should budget for ongoing mechanical attention, especially concerning the suspension and braking systems. An estimated annual running cost, excluding major catastrophic failures, would be in the range of £2,500-£3,500, accounting for fuel, insurance, tax, and routine servicing.
Focus your inspection on the braking system, specifically looking for signs of corrosion on the brake pipes, which was a recorded failure in 2022. Check the condition of the wheel bearings, as the nearside front bearing showed play in both the 2022 fail and pass certificates. Listen for any grinding or humming noises during a test drive, which could indicate that a bearing is failing again.
Additionally, inspect all interior electronics and safety warning lights. The SRS fault noted in the 2022 history suggests potential issues with the wiring looms or sensors. Ensure the parking brake operates smoothly and holds the vehicle firmly on an incline, as this was specifically flagged as failing to meet efficiency requirements previously.
This 2004 diesel S-Class has covered over 200,000 miles, placing it in a high-mileage bracket for its age. While it passed its most recent MOT in 2023 with only a minor lighting defect, the 2022 test revealed extensive failures across braking and safety systems. Potential buyers should view the vehicle's long-term mechanical health as uncertain given the volume of repairs required in recent years.
No aggregate reliability data is available for this specific S-Class generation, but high-mileage luxury vehicles of this age typically require intensive and costly maintenance.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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