Mercedes-Maybach

The short version

Mercedes-Maybach is not a separate manufacturer in the way it was before 2012. It is a sub-brand that takes the largest Mercedes-Benz saloons and SUVs and adds a longer wheelbase, more rear-seat equipment and a layer of bespoke trim. The result is a car bought as much for the back seat as for the driver's seat, and the ownership costs reflect that.

The range is small. The S-Class Maybach is the core car, offered with a V8 or a V12, and the GLS 600 is the SUV version. Both are heavy, complex and expensive to repair, and both depreciate like luxury goods rather than assets. A used example can look like good value, but the running costs do not fall with the price.

The models that define the brand

The modern Maybach line began in 2015 with the S600, which used a twin-turbo V12 and an extended wheelbase. The S560 followed with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, and the S650 kept the V12. The current S580 uses the V8, while the S680 is the V12 flagship. All share the same cabin layout, with executive rear seats, a refrigerator and folding tables.

The GLS 600 arrived in 2020 and applied the same idea to the brand's largest SUV. It has the V8, air suspension, a rear-seat package and a cabin that is quieter and more lavishly finished than a standard GLS. It is the model most likely to be used as a family car, and it has held value best.

The earlier Maybach 57 and 62 are a different story. They were standalone cars built between 2002 and 2012, with enormous dimensions and a price to match. They are rare, expensive to maintain and poorly supported, so most buyers are better served by the Mercedes-based cars.

What it costs to own

A routine service on an S-Class Maybach typically costs £600 to £1,200, with major intervals adding to that. The V12 has 24 plugs and a more involved service procedure, so expect the upper end of that range or more. Tyres are £1,200 to £1,800 a set on the larger wheels, and brakes can run to £1,000 to £2,000 for discs and pads.

Air suspension is the cost that catches owners. A leaking strut can be £800 to £1,500 per corner, and the compressor or valve block adds more. The active body control system on newer cars is more complex again, with hydraulic pumps and accumulators that can run to several thousand pounds. Bespoke trim is another risk: two-tone paint, wood veneers, chrome and leather are expensive to repair, and a damaged bumper or sill can cost more than a mainstream car's annual service budget.

Known weak points

• Air suspension: strut leaks, compressor wear and valve block faults, especially on older cars.
• Active body control: pump and accumulator failures, plus expensive diagnostics.
• Electronics: MBUX faults, rear-seat entertainment, soft-close doors and seat massage functions.
• V12: coil packs, oil leaks and ignition components, with high labour costs.
• V8: turbo and cooling issues, engine mounts and oil consumption on some cars.
• Trim: two-tone paint repairs, wood veneer damage and leather wear on the executive seats.
• Wheels and tyres: kerb damage and rapid wear on heavy cars.

What to check before buying

Start with the service history, and confirm that the car has been maintained at a Mercedes main dealer or a recognised specialist. Air suspension faults often appear as a car that sits low after standing, so check it after an overnight pause if you can. Listen for the compressor running for longer than it should, and check for warning messages on the dashboard.

Test every electric function, including the rear seats, the massage programmes, the sunroof, the soft-close doors and the entertainment screens. These systems are expensive to repair and hard to diagnose. On a V12, check for oil leaks around the cam covers and listen for ignition misfires. On a GLS 600, check the air suspension and the rear-seat controls, and confirm the tyres are matching and correctly rated.

Market and depreciation

The S-Class Maybach depreciates heavily. A three-year-old car can be worth a fraction of its original price, and the running costs remain those of a six-figure car. The S680 holds value better than the V8 because it is rarer and has the V12, and the GLS 600 has been strong because demand for large luxury SUVs has held up.

The earlier S600 and S650 are now affordable, but they are also the cars most likely to need suspension and electronics work. The standalone Maybach 57 and 62 are collector curiosities, with limited support and high running costs. Condition and history matter more than mileage on all of them.

Who it suits

Mercedes-Maybach suits a buyer who wants to be driven as much as to drive, and who values rear-seat comfort over handling. It also suits someone who wants a large luxury car without the attention that a Rolls-Royce or Bentley attracts. It does not suit a buyer who wants low running costs, simple electronics or strong resale value.

The GLS 600 is the more usable choice for a family, while the S-Class Maybach is the more formal car. Either way, budget for maintenance and buy the best example you can find rather than the cheapest one on the market.

How this profile was compiled

This profile uses Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-Maybach published model information, service schedules, owner discussion on MBWorld, and current UK market listings. It is a buying guide, not a road test.