Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A (2020)

Q: Is the 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A reliable?

Based on MOT data from 333 vehicles, the 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 92.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

333 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92.2% first-time pass rate

2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A

CarHunch analysed 333 real MOT records for the 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 333 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S 350 L beats the UK average with an 86.1% first-time pass rate, suggesting this diesel executive sedan is holding up well in its fifth year. However, 17.7% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is worth noting if you're buying used—request the full MOT history and have any historical faults independently inspected.

At just under 50,000 miles on average, these cars are running low mileage for their age, which generally favours reliability. The typical vehicle racks up 0.34 failures and 2.2 advisories per test, indicating minor wear rather than systemic problems—but before purchase, have a pre-buy inspection focus on the diesel particulate filter and suspension components, which are common cost areas on high-mileage luxury diesels.

The 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (92.2%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

92.2%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

17.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.34

Over 4.1 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

48k

Middle half: 31k–63k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 92.2% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 2.2 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 333 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 333 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A cars.

Before you buy a 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A

Based on MOT data from 333 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 17.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 436 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 52.5%

229

Grey 15.1%

Silver 12.6%

Blue 12.6%

White 7.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

47,574

typical

31,356

low mileage

63,177

high mileage

Half of all 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A vehicles fall between 31,356 and 63,177 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 31,356 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 31,356–63,177 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D As sit.

⚠ Over 85,288 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A — Still on the Road

Almost all 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D As are still on the road.

Strong survival — 289 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

4.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.34

Avg failures per vehicle

2.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2020 Mercedes Benz S 350 L Grand Ed Executive D A stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?