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J17 MAB

1998 Mercedes-benz S-class

Blue Petrol 3199cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires31 Oct 2026
Tests32 (19 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate59.4%

Mileage

168,398 mi
Last recorded168,398 miles
Recorded on28 Oct 2025
Typical for 1998 Mercedes-benz S-class103,785 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ17 MAB
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelS-class
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,199cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

19 pass 13 fail
Pass 28 Oct 2025 168,398 miles
Fail 17 Oct 2025 168,398 miles

Offside Rear Floor excessively deteriorated floor pan excessively corroded (6.2.4 (a) (i))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Nov 2024 162,177 miles

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 31 Oct 2024 162,177 miles

Nearside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 23 Aug 2023 162,039 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 16 Aug 2023 162,039 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Body component corroded and likely to cause injury wing (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 5 Apr 2022 161,723 miles

Front Oil leak, but not excessive engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge nearside/offside (5.2.3 (e))

Rear fuel pipe corroded

Fail 23 Feb 2022 161,691 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn inner (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn inner (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed check strap broken (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured both (4.4.3 (a))

Front Valve stem slightly damaged both perished (5.2.3 (j))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Nail in tyre both ()

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both (5.2.3 (e))

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 27 Feb 2021 160,779 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

exhaust system corroded

Pass 2 Jan 2020 157,471 miles

rear brake pipes corroding

Pass 8 Jan 2019 156,742 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 8 Jan 2019 156,742 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 10 Jan 2018 156,382 miles
Pass 2 Dec 2016 153,487 miles
Fail 22 Nov 2016 153,467 miles

Central Stop lamp not working High level (1.2.1b)

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 235/60/16 (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit 235/60/16 (4.1.E.1)

Pass 8 Dec 2015 150,640 miles
Fail 30 Nov 2015 150,640 miles

Nearside Front Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Stop lamp not working High. Level (1.2.1b)

Pass 11 Dec 2014 146,771 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Fail 27 Sep 2014 146,770 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Pass 30 Aug 2013 133,039 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 10 Sep 2012 123,415 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Inner Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 10 Sep 2012 123,415 miles

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Inner Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 30 Aug 2011 117,564 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Inner Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 6 Sep 2010 113,660 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 6 Sep 2010 113,660 miles

Offside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 8 Sep 2009 108,810 miles

Nearside Inner Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Inner Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 8 Sep 2009 108,810 miles

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Nearside Inner Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Inner Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 8 Sep 2008 104,974 miles
Fail 5 Sep 2008 10,497 miles

Nearside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 8 Sep 2007 100,848 miles
Pass 8 Sep 2006 93,505 miles

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 8 Sep 2006 93,505 miles

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz S-class?

Based on 692,220 MOT tests across 62,130 vehicles.

80.6%
Pass Rate
6,086
Miles/Year
39
Year Lifespan
62,130
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 25,613
Brake pipe excessively corroded 8,895
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 6,706
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 6,018
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 5,811
Full Mercedes-benz S-class reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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J17 MAB is a 1998 Mercedes-benz S-class in Blue with a 3,199cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.4%.

Across all 1998 Mercedes-benz S-class models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.8% with a typical mileage of 103,785 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Mercedes-benz S-class fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 25,613 recorded failures. If you're considering buying J17 MAB, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz S-class typically stays on UK roads for around 39 years. At 28 years old, this Mercedes-benz S-class is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J17 MAB?

You can check the full history of J17 MAB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J17 MAB registered?

J17 MAB is a 1998 Mercedes-benz S-class, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is J17 MAB safe to buy?

The MOT history for J17 MAB shows 32 tests with a 59.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J17 MAB have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on J17 MAB. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.