2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4.7L Petrol · S99 SAK

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class presents a stable and well-maintained roadworthiness profile, with the most recent MOT test conducted on 5 May 2026 at 59,946 miles resulting in a clean pass. The only recorded defect was a welded repair to the nearside rear alloy wheel, a cosmetic and non-structural issue that does not compromise safety or mechanical integrity. Comparing this to the 2024 failure, where front and rear brake discs were flagged as lipped and scored and the nearside rear outer brake pad was below the 1.5 mm minimum, the subsequent 2025 and 2026 passes with zero defects suggest the braking system was properly overhauled. The maintenance trend is clearly improving, indicating the previous owner addressed the wear items promptly rather than deferring them. The vehicle has covered approximately 13,495 miles in the twelve months between the May 2025 test at 46,451 miles and the May 2026 test at 59,946 miles, a notable acceleration from the earlier average of roughly 6,000 to 7,000 miles per year. This uptick in usage is consistent with a vehicle that may have been lightly used or partially standing in its earlier years and is now seeing more regular service. The mileage accumulation is not excessive for an S-Class of this age, and the annual test intervals remain consistent, with no suspicious gaps or anomalies in the record. The data set is clean and complete, spanning from June 2023 through May 2026 with no missing years. Prospective buyers should still inspect the braking components in person, given the 2024 failure involved both disc lipping and pad wear below the legal minimum. While the subsequent two passes indicate the issue was resolved, examining the current condition of the front and rear brake discs, pads, and calipers for uneven wear or binding would confirm the repair was thorough and lasting. The welded nearside rear alloy wheel also warrants close inspection, as welded repairs on alloys can sometimes mask underlying cracks or heat damage, particularly if the wheel has since been subjected to the higher mileages recorded in 2025 and 2026. A tyre check is prudent too, given the increased annual mileage will have accelerated tread wear. Beyond the flagged items, a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion is advisable on any eight-year-old luxury saloon, particularly around suspension mounting points, subframes, and inner wing arches. The S-Class uses complex air suspension, and at nearly 60,000 miles, components such as air struts, bushes, and linkages may be approaching the point where deterioration becomes visible. The clean MOT record is encouraging, but a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified technician remains the most reliable way to verify the structural and mechanical condition of a vehicle at this age and mileage.