Used Mercedes S-Class 2014-2020 reliability review

The MercedesS-Class is one of the best luxury cars around. It's supremely comfortable and great value used.

What should I look for in a used Mercedes-Benz S Class?

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

The S-Class is a large car, so check the bodywork carefully for any scuffs or dents; these can be expensive to set right. Also make sure that all that electrical equipment works as it should, including the seats, infotainment system and boot lid.

Look too at alloy wheels for excessive kerb damage, because this is not only expensive to put right but also could hint at very expensive suspension work.

Is a used Mercedes-Benz S Class reliable?

Used Mercedes S-Class 2014-2020 rear seats

The S-Class didn't feature in our most recent reliability survey. The smaller E-Class did take part and it finished 12th out of 24 cars in the executive and luxury saloon car class. You can see the full list here.

Mercedes' reliability record has been a little mixed of late; it came 24th out of 31 manufacturers in that most recent What Car? Reliability Survey. You can see the full list of car manufacturers here.

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If you'd like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.

Used Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2014-2020 boot

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Mercedes-Benz S Class 2.9 S350d AMG Line G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Mercedes-Benz S Class

2.9 S350d AMG Line G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£37,777

Mercedes-Benz S Class 2.9 S350Ld AMG Line (Premium Plus, Executive) G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Mercedes-Benz S Class

2.9 S350Ld AMG Line (Premium Plus, Executive) G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£44,995

Mercedes-Benz S CLASS 3.0 S580eL 22kWh AMG Line (Premium) G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Mercedes-Benz S CLASS

3.0 S580eL 22kWh AMG Line (Premium) G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£46,679

Mercedes-Benz S Class 3.0 S500Lh MHEV AMG Line (Premium Plus) G-Tronic+ 4MATIC Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Mercedes-Benz S Class

3.0 S500Lh MHEV AMG Line (Premium Plus) G-Tronic+ 4MATIC Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£46,995

Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS 2.9 S350d AMG Line G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS

2.9 S350d AMG Line G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£47,989

Mercedes-Benz S Class 2.9 S350d AMG Line (Premium) G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Mercedes-Benz S Class

2.9 S350d AMG Line (Premium) G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£48,500

Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS 2.9 S350d AMG Line (Premium) G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS

2.9 S350d AMG Line (Premium) G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

RRP £83,535

£48,950

Mercedes-Benz S CLASS 3.0 S500Lh MHEV AMG Line (Premium Plus, Executive) G-Tronic+ 4MATIC Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Mercedes-Benz S CLASS

3.0 S500Lh MHEV AMG Line (Premium Plus, Executive) G-Tronic+ 4MATIC Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£48,990

Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS 3.0 S500Lh MHEV AMG Line (Premium) G-Tronic+ 4MATIC Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS

3.0 S500Lh MHEV AMG Line (Premium) G-Tronic+ 4MATIC Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

RRP £97,945

£49,249

About the writer

Mark Pearson

Name: Mark Pearson

Title: Used cars editor

Follow Mark Pearson on

Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.

Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.

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