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ProblemsByVin Checklist / 2016-MERCEDES-BENZ-S-CLASS

Pre-purchase · Buyer's checklist

2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class inspection checklist

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 29 owner complaints with NHTSA across 3 component categories. Use this checklist before you put money down — every item below is grounded in the actual failure pattern on this vehicle, not generic advice.

1 Inspect the visibility

What to look for: Wiper streaks even on a fresh blade, blower fan that doesn't change speeds, foggy or yellowed headlight lenses, sunroof drains plugged (water on headliner). (4 owner complaints on this vehicle · typical repair $350 · failures cluster ~49,925 mi)

All wiper speeds front and rear (if equipped) plus washer fluid spray pattern
Defroster — front and rear, every grid line working on the rear glass
HVAC fan on every setting, plus mode (vent, floor, defrost) selector
Sunroof open/close and tilt — check for grinding noises

See full visibility report for this vehicle →

2 Inspect the body

What to look for: Paint mismatch between panels (prior accident), rust on rocker panels and wheel wells, door alignment gaps that don't match side-to-side, weatherstrip wear. (3 owner complaints on this vehicle · typical repair $1,500 · failures cluster ~51,178 mi)

Panel gaps — should be even and consistent; tight on one side means body work
Trunk and hood weatherstrips for cracks
Inside the trunk, under the spare — water staining means a leak
Door hinge bolts for paint dust (telltale of door replacement)
VIN plate on the dash matches the VIN sticker on the door jamb

See full body report for this vehicle →

3 Inspect the cruise control

What to look for: Cruise that won't set, drops out on small inclines, jerky speed adjustment. (3 owner complaints on this vehicle · typical repair $600 · failures cluster ~82,000 mi)

Cruise stalk or steering wheel controls — every button function
On a flat road at highway speed, set cruise and verify it holds within 1–2 mph
Brake switch behind the pedal — if loose, cruise won't engage

See full cruise control report for this vehicle →

4 Paperwork — before you sign

The seller's transparency on these tells you what kind of seller you're dealing with.

Title in seller's name (not "open title" or "signed by previous owner")
Service records — at least the last 24 months
VIN on the dash matches the door jamb sticker and the title
Run a paid vehicle history report (Carfax or AutoCheck) — accident, salvage, odometer rollback
Confirm any open recalls have been completed (NHTSA VIN lookup)
If financing, get the rate in writing before you set foot on the lot

Inspection items derived from 29 owner complaints and 0 active recall campaigns filed with NHTSA on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Category-specific guidance is written by ProblemsByVin contributors with ASE-certified mechanic review. This checklist is meant to surface known patterns — it doesn't replace a paid pre-purchase inspection by a qualified shop, which we recommend for any used vehicle priced over a few thousand dollars.

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