Mercedes-Benz S-Class Depreciation
A Mercedes-Benz S-Class will depreciate 55% after 5 years and have a 5 year resale value of $58,397.
Many Mercedes S-class owners want brand new, right out of the box. But, they have to pay for that privilege. If you are comfortable with something that is "somewhat" new, and don't have money to burn, think of getting one that is 4 years old, or older. If you do, you can probably get a $100,000 car around $45,000, that is still in great shape, and without a ton of miles on it. Many new owners lease, so see if you can find yourself something that is coming off of a lease, and scoop it up. It's a high-quality car, but even better at the right price.
The chart below shows the expected depreciation for the next 10 years. These results are for vehicles in good condition, averaging 13,500 miles per year. It also assumes a selling price of $131,082 when new. Enter your purchase price, expected ownership period and estimated miles driven annually. Our depreciation calculator will predict an expected resale value for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Depreciation
Years Old | Depreciation | Residual Value | Resale Value | Mileage | Resale Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | $31,447 | 76.01% | $99,635 | 13,500 | 2021 |
2 | $56,208 | 57.12% | $74,874 | 27,000 | 2022 |
3 | $65,869 | 49.75% | $65,213 | 40,500 | 2023 |
4 | $69,972 | 46.62% | $61,110 | 54,000 | 2024 |
5 | $72,685 | 44.55% | $58,397 | 67,500 | 2025 |
6 | $81,048 | 38.17% | $50,034 | 81,000 | 2026 |
7 | $93,907 | 28.36% | $37,175 | 94,500 | 2027 |
8 | $94,156 | 28.17% | $36,926 | 108,000 | 2028 |
9 | $98,220 | 25.07% | $32,862 | 121,500 | 2029 |
10 | $98,692 | 24.71% | $32,390 | 135,000 | 2030 |
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Depreciation
Years Old | Depreciation | Residual Value | Resale Value |
---|---|---|---|
1 | $31,447 | 76.01% | $99,635 |
2 | $56,208 | 57.12% | $74,874 |
3 | $65,869 | 49.75% | $65,213 |
4 | $69,972 | 46.62% | $61,110 |
5 | $72,685 | 44.55% | $58,397 |
6 | $81,048 | 38.17% | $50,034 |
7 | $93,907 | 28.36% | $37,175 |
8 | $94,156 | 28.17% | $36,926 |
9 | $98,220 | 25.07% | $32,862 |
10 | $98,692 | 24.71% | $32,390 |
If you purchase a used Mercedes-Benz S-Class that is 2 years old, then you could save $56,208 compared to buying new, and still have a relatively new model with plenty of useful life remaining. If you plan to keep this vehicle for 3 years then your total cost of depreciation would be $16,477. Try other age and ownership length combinations, or different vehicles to see if you can find depreciation sweetspots where this cost is the lowest. Hint: Try vehicles between 2 and 4 years old, as brand new vehicles depreciate quickly. Also, if this is a recently released model and buying a few years old isn't possible, consider another vehicle, or perhaps wait until more used S-Class models become available.
The Best Model Years to Buy a Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is our top pick for the best model year value for the S-Class. With the 2018, you would only pay, on average, 57% of the price as new, with 83% of the vehicle's useful life remaining. The 2017 and 2016 model years are also attractive years for the S-Class, and provide a relatively good value. Our rankings consider multiple factors, including the S-Class's price as new, current price, maintenance costs and remaining years of overall predictabe expenses. Our top ranked model year represents the most car for the money of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class models.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Historical Depreciation
Year | New Price | Current Price | Maintenance | $ Decline | % Decline | % Paid | Value Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | $131,082 | $131,082 | $545 | $0 | 0% | 100% | |
2019 | $128,825 | $98,519 | $602 | $32,563 | 24.84% | 76.01% | Good |
2018 | $126,810 | $73,139 | $709 | $25,380 | 25.76% | 57.12% | Best |
2017 | $126,836 | $63,966 | $871 | $9,173 | 12.54% | 49.75% | Better |
2016 | $119,018 | $56,459 | $978 | $7,507 | 11.74% | 46.62% | Better |
2015 | $106,222 | $48,516 | $1,194 | $7,943 | 14.07% | 44.55% | Good |
2014 | $100,569 | $39,972 | $1,588 | $8,544 | 17.61% | 38.17% | |
2013 | $99,849 | $30,095 | $1,775 | $9,877 | 24.71% | 28.36% | |
2012 | $90,090 | $27,281 | $1,899 | $2,814 | 9.35% | 28.17% | |
2011 | $89,825 | $24,668 | $2,146 | $2,613 | 9.58% | 25.07% | |
2010 | $86,401 | $23,547 | $2,200 | $1,121 | 4.54% | 24.71% | |
2009 | $85,033 | $20,613 | $2,496 | $2,934 | 12.46% | 21.31% | |
2008 | $84,591 | $18,608 | $2,917 | $2,005 | 9.73% | 18.55% |
Year | Price | % Paid | Value Rank |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | $131,082 | 100% | |
2019 | $98,519 | 76.01% | Good |
2018 | $73,139 | 57.12% | Best |
2017 | $63,966 | 49.75% | Better |
2016 | $56,459 | 46.62% | Better |
2015 | $48,516 | 44.55% | Good |
2014 | $39,972 | 38.17% | |
2013 | $30,095 | 28.36% | |
2012 | $27,281 | 28.17% | |
2011 | $24,668 | 25.07% | |
2010 | $23,547 | 24.71% | |
2009 | $20,613 | 21.31% | |
2008 | $18,608 | 18.55% |
Considering financing? Try our Mercedes-Benz S-Class Loan Calculator, which will steer you away from unattractive loan structures that put you in a bad financial position relative to the value of your vehicle. Customize a loan that is right for you, or try some basic options, No Money Down, 10% Down and 20% Down.
Featured Mercedes-Benz S-Class Video
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Photos

About Our Data and "Useful Lifespan"
We aggregate and analyze millions of automotive data points from a variety of sources, including some of the industry's leading data providers. The historical depreciation tables, charts, values and overall rankings are conducted on a semi-annual basis, with our most recent update published in September 2020.
While the "Useful Lifespan" of a vehicle will vary greatly from one model to the next, and even one owner to the next, we have determined that twelve years is the most appropriate timeframe which will yield us good, usable data - and that any data beyond that timeframe becomes more dispersed, and ultimately less reliable. Moreover, maintenance costs beyond that timeframe become significantly more varied, as a vehicle owner's care of a particular vehicle will greatly impact its value, and ongoing maintenance costs. We are very much hopeful, however, that your car or truck will last well beyond twelve years, and that it gets you to where you want to go.
If you would like to know more about our data and process, check out our FAQ here.