Mercedes S-Class service and repairs

Is this page for my S-Class?

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the W222 and the W223, is a chauffeur car as well as a private one. We service, diagnose and repair it at our Welwyn Garden City centre. For chauffeur and private hire use, see our PCO and chauffeur servicing page.

How often should an S-Class be serviced?

Follow the service interval display, which shows the time or distance left before the next service. In its owner’s manual for the E-Class, Mercedes says the display can bring the service forward after mainly short-distance driving, long idling, frequent cold starts and frequently interrupted diesel particulate filter regeneration.

Mercedes also calls the display only an aid, and treats regular city driving with frequent intermediate stops as arduous use that needs more frequent oil and filter changes. Chauffeur work in town can fit that description, so ask us whether your oil and filter should be changed sooner than the display suggests. Our Service A and Service B page explains each service.

We also add the service to the car’s digital service record.

Which engine oil goes in an S-Class?

Oil that meets the Mercedes-Benz specification sheet listed for the engine. Mercedes publishes the sheets engine by engine, so we confirm the sheet for your car from its registration before we fill it.

The binding specification is the one in the vehicle’s own manual, and Mercedes warns that low-viscosity oils in an engine not cleared for them can cause damage.

Does the automatic gearbox need servicing?

Yes. Mercedes workshop information lists the 9G-Tronic (725.0) for the S-Class 222, and the current fluid sheet for that gearbox is 236.17. We carry out the gearbox oil and filter service in-house and set the fluid level the way Mercedes specifies. The interval varies, so we work from your car’s own schedule. If you are not sure which gearbox your S-Class has, send us the registration. See our Mercedes gearbox service page.

Do you repair S-Class air suspension?

Yes, where it is fitted. Mercedes workshop information on air suspension faults covers the S-Class 222. Typical signs are the car sitting low after standing, or an AIRMATIC or suspension warning. We measure the height loss, leak-test the springs, lines and valve unit, check the compressor for water, then replace only the part the tests prove faulty. See our air suspension page.

What do S-Class battery warnings mean?

• 48V battery warnings. Mercedes says the S-Class 223 uses a later version of its 48V system, which is tested differently from earlier models. A warning can come from several causes, so we read which fault is stored before anything is replaced. See our 48V battery page.
• Auxiliary battery malfunction. According to one UK parts retailer, the S-Class 222 uses a capacitor-type voltage converter in place of a small backup battery. We test the main battery first, then the part and its wiring. See our auxiliary battery page.

What if the AdBlue warning comes on?

On a Mercedes diesel, an AdBlue fault can lead to a warning, then a countdown, then an engine that will not restart. We check the recall status and software level first, then test the NOx sensors, dosing, pump and heater, and replace only the part the tests prove faulty. We repair AdBlue and emissions systems; we never remove or disable them. See our AdBlue fault page.

Which recalls should an S-Class owner check?

Check your car on gov.uk: whether a recall applies depends on the individual vehicle. DVSA’s records for the S-Class include:

• Emissions software and NOx sensors: R/2019/304, R/2019/307, R/2020/231 and R/2020/243, Mercedes car recalls that include S-Class built from 2011 to 2019. The remedy is a software update, with NOx sensor replacement if necessary.
• Coolant pump: R/2021/438, for some diesel models, including the S-Class, built from April 2017 to October 2021.
• Voltage converter software: R/2023/148 and R/2023/149, for some S-Class 223.

Recall work is done by the manufacturer’s network, not by us.

Can you MOT my S-Class?

Yes, in our own Class 4 MOT bay. Warning lights and leaks are worth having diagnosed before the test. An S-Class licensed by TfL as a private hire vehicle needs two MOTs in each annual licence once it is more than 12 months from manufacture; our PCO pre-inspection check page explains the timing.

Do you work on plug-in hybrid S-Class models?

Yes. Servicing and repairs on plug-in hybrid S-Class models are carried out by technicians qualified to work on electric and hybrid vehicles.