Is a USED Mercedes-Benz EQS a TERRIBLE IDEA?

Mercedes-Benz EQS (Including the EQS 53 AMG): Used-Car Review Summary

Main strengths

• Exceptional performance in EQS 53 form: With the Dynamic Plus package, the reviewed car produces 560 kW (over 750 hp) and 1,020 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds.
• Comfortable, composed ride: The air suspension balances comfort and handling remarkably well for such a heavy car. The AMG version may ride more firmly.
• Surprisingly agile for its size: Rear-wheel steering helps the car feel capable through corners and gives it a very tight turning circle.
• Impressive cabin: The interior has high-quality fit and finish, few hard plastics, and attractive materials. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, with extensive adjustment, heating, cooling and massage. The reviewer says the interior looks better in person than in photos.
• Extensive technology and safety equipment: Features include configurable ambient lighting with around 190 colours, a Hyperscreen, driver-assistance systems and, in some regions, advanced dynamic high beams.
• Excellent when the technology works: The screen-based controls are considered among the better systems of their type. The sound system is praised, and noise cancellation helps create an isolated, refined cabin.
• Practical interior and cargo space: The liftback has a large opening, a cavernous cargo area and additional storage under the floor. Rear passengers get generous legroom and useful amenities, while the front cabin has plenty of storage.
• Used prices can mean a lot of car for the money: The review argues that depreciation is so steep that additional kilometres may matter less to buyers than they would on a more valuable car.

Drawbacks and ownership risks

• Complex electronics are the biggest concern. Owners have reported:
  • Ambient-lighting modules failing, sometimes affecting other functions such as the air conditioning.
  • Malfunctioning door handles, charge flaps incorrectly reported as open, and charging plugs getting stuck.
  • Driver-assistance systems treating clear roads or driveways as obstacles, and warning messages that persist after restarting.
  • Frozen screens, phone-connection problems, app and connectivity confusion, and failed or troublesome over-the-air updates. Some updates have reportedly caused new problems, including loss of radio function.
• Long-term software support is uncertain. Updates often resolve problems, but the car’s extensive technology may become difficult or uneconomic to support as it ages. Some repairs and updates may require dealer visits or specialist factory support.
• High running and repair costs:
  • Specialist OEM tyres can cost about $1,000 each. Some owners report getting only about 10,000 km from a set; the video estimates tyre costs could reach $40,000 over an average ownership period.
  • Tyres need careful fitting because their sensor electronics can be damaged.
  • Wheels have reportedly cracked on poor roads.
  • Replacement windscreens can cost thousands and require recalibration; aftermarket glass may cause problems.
  • Parts can be expensive. Examples include an approximately $2,000 rear diffuser, a $1,600 interior trim piece, and dealership wiper blades costing over $200. The video notes that alternatives can sometimes be sourced more cheaply.
• Air-suspension and chassis concerns: Some early cars reportedly have leaking suspension components, worn bushes or electronic suspension faults. The vehicle’s weight also puts extra strain on steering and suspension parts. Repairs may cost thousands once warranty coverage ends, and aftermarket alternatives may be scarce.
• Battery and repair support: In Australia, the battery warranty is stated as 8 years or 160,000 km, while the rest of the car has a 5-year warranty. Battery coverage varies by region. One reported replacement case involved a $65,000 battery, covered by insurance. Parts may need to come from overseas, and independent repair options are limited.
• Dealer expertise may be uneven: The mechanic says some technicians lack factory support and are still catching up with the car’s complex diagnostics. He recommends continuing to use a Mercedes dealer for repairs.
• Not especially engaging to drive: Despite its speed and grip, the car feels clinically controlled and isolated. The reviewer says the computers make the driver feel more like a passenger and would trade some performance for more feedback.
• Practical compromises: The car is very large—larger in footprint than an Audi Q7—and can be stressful on narrow streets or when reverse-parking because of its sightlines. It has no front trunk; opening the bonnet may affect the warranty in some markets, and the coolant reservoir is underneath, so a low-coolant warning may mean a dealer visit.
• Rear-seat comfort is mixed: There is abundant space and useful equipment, but the seats are unusually firm and upright for a car derived from the S-Class.
• Depreciation is extreme: The Australian example reportedly fell from about $380,000 new to $120,000 after three years—a $260,000, or roughly 70%, loss. Some lower-spec cars were said to lose up to 80% within a year or two. The owner of the reviewed car reportedly paid about $140,000 new after a large discount, and it had since lost another roughly $20,000.

Verdict and comparisons

The EQS can be an extraordinary luxury EV and a tempting used bargain, but its low purchase price comes with substantial potential costs and uncertainty. The reviewers would consider one only for a financially comfortable buyer who finds a good example and plans to keep it for roughly 3–5 years. They are much more wary of ownership beyond 7–10 years, when software support, expensive repairs and parts availability could make it a liability.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV6 GT are mentioned as potentially more sensible performance-EV choices, though they may lack the Mercedes badge appeal. The presenters also suggest a reliable used hybrid as a potentially greener, lower-risk alternative. They note that the EQS’s extreme performance is difficult to exploit on Australian roads.

No formal rating or numerical score is given.

Views by speaker

• Main presenter: Praises the EQS’s cabin, comfort, technology when functioning, practicality and extraordinary AMG performance, but is highly critical of its electronic complexity, costs, depreciation and lack of driver involvement.
• Mechanic, Jim: Emphasizes the strain the car’s weight puts on tyres, steering and suspension; warns about air-suspension reliability, costly battery and electrical repairs, scarce parts and limited independent repair options.