My GarageIs the Mercedes-Benz S-Class a good used car?
A used S-Class is one of the biggest values in the luxury market and one of the highest-risk. Buy with records or don't buy — and factor Airmatic, ABC, and complex electronics into the ownership budget.
Buyer's Guide · Mercedes-Benz S-Class · Full-size luxury sedan
Used Mercedes-Benz S-Class Buyer's Guide
3 min read
Also worth reading: Mercedes-Benz Reliability Guide, Best Used Mercedes-Benz Models and Mercedes-Benz E-Class Buying Guide.
The S-Class is Mercedes' flagship and one of the most technologically advanced sedans ever built. Depreciation is steep, which means used-market values can be extraordinary — but ownership complexity is also extraordinary.
Quick Verdict
- Overall verdict
- 3.7/5 · Good
- Reliability
- 3.6/5 · Good
- Best years
- 2007–2013 W221 (S550 with M273 V8), 2014–2020 W222 (S550/S560 V8, post-early builds)
- Years to research
- 2007–2011 W221 (ABC suspension), V12 examples (S600, S65)
- Maintenance cost
- 2.8/5 · Below average
- Parts availability
- 4.0/5 · Very good
- Ownership cost
- 2.7/5 · Below average
Bottom line: Yes, if you can find one with complete records and a trusted independent shop.
Overall
★★★★★3.7/5
A used S-Class is one of the biggest values in the luxury market and one of the highest-risk. Buy with records or don't buy — and factor Airmatic, ABC, and complex electronics into the ownership budget.
Reliability
★★★★★3.6/5
Maintenance
★★★★★2.8/5
Parts availability
★★★★★4.0/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★2.7/5
Top Picks
Best Years to Buy
Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.
2007–2013 W221 (S550 with M273 V8)
V8 is well-understood; parts and independent-mechanic support are strong.
2014–2020 W222 (S550/S560 V8, post-early builds)
Later production refined; V8 is preferred for long-term ownership.
Side by side
Mercedes-Benz S-Class ratings at a glance
| Category | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.7/5 | Good |
| Reliability | 3.6/5 | Good |
| Maintenance | 2.8/5 | Below average |
| Parts availability | 4.0/5 | Very good |
| Ownership cost | 2.7/5 | Below average |
Do your homework
Years to Research Carefully
Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.
2007–2011 W221 (ABC suspension)
Active Body Control is refined but expensive when it fails.
V12 examples (S600, S65)
Exceptional cars but very expensive to service; verify complete history.
Known issues
Common Problems
Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.
- ✓Airmatic and ABC suspension components
- ✓Rear subframe rust on Northeast cars
- ✓Coolant leaks on V8 examples
- ✓COMAND and screen electronics on early W221
- ✓Timing chain guides on some V8 variants at high mileage
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Ownership
Maintenance Expectations
S-Class ownership requires an independent Mercedes specialist you trust. Dealer prices are punishing.
Air-suspension components and complex electronics are the largest ownership-cost variables.
Before you buy
Inspection Checklist
What to verify on any candidate car.
Airmatic/ABC
All corners level; no leaks; compressor operation quiet.
Engine
V8: coolant condition, no oil leaks. V12: complete service history mandatory.
Transmission
7G-Tronic smooth; verify fluid history.
Rust
Rear subframe, jack points, wheel arches.
Electronics
COMAND, seat controls, convenience features all operate.
Living with it
Ownership Experience
- • Genuinely quiet and comfortable at any speed. One of the best long-distance vehicles ever made.
- • Real-world 18–22 mpg highway on V8.
- • The interior and ride are exceptional; the ownership cost demands informed shopping.
The Verdict
Should You Buy a Used Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Yes, if you can find one with complete records and a trusted independent shop. The S-Class rewards informed buyers and punishes uninformed ones.
People Also Ask
How many miles will a S-Class last?
Genuinely quiet and comfortable at any speed. One of the best long-distance vehicles ever made.
Is the S-Class expensive to maintain?
S-Class ownership requires an independent Mercedes specialist you trust. Dealer prices are punishing.
Which S-Class year should I buy?
2007–2013 W221 (S550 with M273 V8) is the range we'd shop first. V8 is well-understood; parts and independent-mechanic support are strong.
What are the most common Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems?
The issues that come up most often are airmatic and ABC suspension components, rear subframe rust on Northeast cars and coolant leaks on V8 examples. Each one is checkable during a pre-purchase inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Our scoring puts the Mercedes-Benz S-Class at 3.6/5 for reliability. A used S-Class is one of the biggest values in the luxury market and one of the highest-risk. Buy with records or don't buy — and factor Airmatic, ABC, and complex electronics into the ownership budget.
Which S-Class years should I avoid?
2007–2011 W221 (ABC suspension) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
2007–2013 W221 (S550 with M273 V8) are the strongest years to target — V8 is well-understood; parts and independent-mechanic support are strong.
How long does a Mercedes-Benz S-Class last?
A well-maintained S-Class from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the S-Class expensive to maintain?
S-Class ownership requires an independent Mercedes specialist you trust. Dealer prices are punishing.
What should I inspect before buying a used S-Class?
Focus on: Airmatic/ABC, Engine, Transmission, Rust. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common S-Class problems?
Airmatic and ABC suspension components; Rear subframe rust on Northeast cars; Coolant leaks on V8 examples; COMAND and screen electronics on early W221
Is 150,000 miles too much for a S-Class?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile S-Class with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the S-Class's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I buy a used Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Yes, if you can find one with complete records and a trusted independent shop. The S-Class rewards informed buyers and punishes uninformed ones.
You may also want to research
- Mercedes-Benz Reliability GuideHow Mercedes-Benz holds up long-term.
- Best Used Mercedes-Benz ModelsThe Mercedes-Benz models worth buying.
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class Buying GuideFull midsize luxury sedan/wagon buying guide.
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class Buying GuideFull compact luxury sedan/coupe buying guide.
- Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Buying GuideFull grand-touring roadster buying guide.
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