Mercedes-Benz s-class cars

What types of used Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars are there?

The first-generation S-Class (W116) came out in 1972 and was popular for its safety features and endless luxury. This luxury saloon was so good it went straight to the top with the likes of the Rolls-Royces and Bentleys of the time. 

Decades on and the S-Class is still going strong, with more than six generations behind it. Now, as ever, it’s most popular as a limousine for the rich and famous, offering the greatest in German automotive luxury.  

The flagship model variant is the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class saloon, which sits at the top of the range and offers oodles of wood, leather and even a champagne fridge with temperature-controlled cupholders. 

• Read our Mercedes S-Class review

What features does the Mercedes-Benz S-Class have?

Where do you even start? With the S-Class being at the top of its game, there's very little it doesn’t come with in terms of features. 

Some of the more notable features include a long panoramic sunroof, a large 12.8-inch central touchscreen, plush leather seats and even finger and eye recognition, meaning naughty passengers can’t fiddle with your car’s settings. 

In terms of engine options, the latest S-Class comes with three six-cylinder, 3.0-litre engines comprising one petrol and two diesels, all with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. There’s also an efficient plug-in hybrid that can drive 46 miles on electricity alone.  

Is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?

Mercedes has a strong track record of building reliable and hard-wearing cars, so even the upmarket and delicate S-Class can stand the test of time.

This is thanks to some of the most resilient engines in the game, tried-and-tested materials throughout, and the fact Mercedes has been building this model for more than 50 years.  

The same goes for safety, which –vas we touched on above – is spot-on. The S-Class hasn’t been independently tested by Euro NCAP, but its similarly sized E-Class and C-Class siblings both scored a full five stars following their most recent safety testing. 

How much does the Mercedes-Benz S-Class cost to run?

Like all large luxury cars, they’re not usually the cheapest to run, and you can’t expect the S-Class to be any different. One of the contributing factors is that they weigh a lot and therefore require more fuel to get going – especially for the thirsty V12 models that have an average fuel consumption of 20mpg. 

If you’re smart about your decision and opt for a long-lasting diesel or fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid variant, then fuel costs can be kept to a minimum. There are other costs including car insurance, which will vary, but with the S-Class sitting between insurance groups 44 and 50, it’s on the higher end. 

Who is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class suitable for?

You should buy a used Mercedes S-Class if you’re someone in need of the utmost luxury wherever you go. The beauty of the Mercedes is that it isn’t as ostentatious as many of its rivals and blends in across most city environments.  

It’s also great to drive or be driven in, depending on what you fancy. It truly is the down-to-earth person’s luxury daily driver, made even more accessible through used car prices.