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Model reliability
Mercedes-Benz 500 reliability
The Mercedes-Benz 500 fails its MOT less often than most cars over 10 years old: 20.6% of 1,071 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.
Over 10 years old
20.6% failed their MOT
From 1,071 MOT tests of Mercedes-Benz 500s this age.
Where it does worse than other cars this age
Fails 50% more oftenFront and rear fog lamps1.5% vs 1%Fix about £30
Fails 38% more oftenElectrical equipment1.1% vs 0.8%
Fails 3× as oftenFuel system1% vs 0.4%
Checking a Mercedes-Benz 500 before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.