Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto?

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 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto?

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 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto?

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.

Is the 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 116 vehicles, the 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto?

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 S320 CDI Auto (2006)

116 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.4% first-time pass rate

2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto

CarHunch analysed 116 real MOT records for the 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto. 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 Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2006 S320 CDI has a serious reliability problem: only 28.7% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%. The diesel engines are equally troublesome at 28.5%, so fuel type offers no refuge here.

These cars are typically running around 126,000 miles, which is reasonable for a 2006, but the average 0.53 failures per vehicle suggests systemic issues rather than random wear—likely expensive transmission, suspension, or emissions-related faults that accumulate on these ageing Mercedes. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection from a specialist diesel mechanic, because the MOT data confirms these are high-maintenance cars that will regularly surprise you with repair bills.

We have limited data for the 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

74.4%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.53

Over 2.6 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

126k

Middle half: 110k–148k

For context

These stats describe 116 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 116 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto

Based on MOT data from 116 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (99%)	115	74.6%	0.53

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto 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.

125,998

typical

109,821

low mileage

148,253

high mileage

Half of all 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto vehicles fall between 109,821 and 148,253 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 109,821 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.

✓ 109,821–148,253 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Autos sit.

⚠ Over 200,141 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 26% of 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Autos are still active.

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (26% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

2.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.53

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes S320 CDI Auto: All S320 CDI Auto years → Which year to buy? →

2007

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Compare with another model

See how the 2006 Mercedes S320 CDI Auto stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on