Mercedes 500 Se Auto MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 70 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 30.0%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Mercedes 500 Se Auto MOT Reliability Overview
The Mercedes 500 Se Auto is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 70 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.0% and a failure rate of 30.0%, which is slightly above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Mercedes 500 Se Auto earns a "Good" reliability rating. The average Mercedes 500 Se Auto presents for MOT with approximately 118,758 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Mercedes 500 Se Auto is Brakes, affecting 27.1% of all tests. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. The second most common issue is Tyres at 15.7%. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions rounds out the top three at 14.3%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 71.4% | 50 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.4% | 22 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.9% | 16 |
| 4 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 21.4% | 15 |
| 5 | Steering | 15.7% | 11 |
| 6 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 14.3% | 10 |
| 7 | Driver's View Of The Road | 2.9% | 2 |
| 8 | Registration Plates And Vin | 1.4% | 1 |
| 9 | Items Not Tested | 1.4% | 1 |
| 10 | Body, Structure And General Items | 1.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 118,758 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 6.01 | 71.4% | 50 |
| Suspension | 2.65 | 31.4% | 22 |
| Tyres | 1.92 | 22.9% | 16 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 1.80 | 21.4% | 15 |
| Steering | 1.32 | 15.7% | 11 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 1.20 | 14.3% | 10 |
| Visibility | 0.24 | 2.9% | 2 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.12 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Items Not Tested | 0.12 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Body & Structure | 0.12 | 1.4% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Mercedes 500 Se Auto has 118,758 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Mercedes 500 Se Auto has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 2.53% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Mercedes 500 Se Auto MOT Data
The Mercedes 500 Se Auto is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 70 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.0% and a failure rate of 30.0%, which is slightly above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Mercedes 500 Se Auto owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on brakes and tyres for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 500 Se Auto is likely to perform.
Brakes — 27.1% of failures
Brakes issues account for 27.1% of MOT failures on the Mercedes 500 Se Auto. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Tyres — 15.7% of failures
Tyres issues account for 15.7% of MOT failures on the Mercedes 500 Se Auto. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 14.3% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 14.3% of MOT failures on the Mercedes 500 Se Auto. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes 500 Se Auto?
Based on 70 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Mercedes 500 Se Auto has an overall pass rate of 70.0% (30.0% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes 500 Se Auto?
The top 3 reasons a Mercedes 500 Se Auto fails its MOT are: 1. Brakes (27.1%), 2. Tyres (15.7%), 3. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (14.3%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Mercedes 500 Se Auto reliable?
With a 30.0% MOT failure rate, the 500 Se Auto is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Mercedes 500 Se Auto?
Based on failure data, focus on: Brakes (27.1%); Tyres (15.7%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (14.3%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.