Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class for Sale near California

How much does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cost?

Prices have softened 10.28% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 753 listings available, which gives you a meaningful pool to compare prices and equipment.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class earns a 4/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Technology.

Owners consistently praise its luxurious feel, advanced technology, and strong performance, and many also describe the handling and acceleration as thrilling. The main trade-off is the high price, and some owners mention run-flat tire issues.

That fits the S-Class’s role as Mercedes’ flagship: it is aimed at you if you want a prestige sedan that showcases the brand’s most advanced ideas, not just a comfortable luxury cruiser. With 32.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?

Owners rate it 4/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a car that feels dependable in daily use, with strong satisfaction around its luxury, technology, and performance. The expert review also describes the S-Class as a highly capable, well-engineered flagship, and Mercedes backs it with a four-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty and a four-year, 50,000-mile powertrain warranty.

That said, its complexity means you should expect ownership to be more demanding than a simpler luxury sedan, especially if maintenance has been deferred. For used buyers, the biggest long-term risk is paying flagship-car repair costs on a poorly maintained example.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean title does not guarantee perfect maintenance or repair quality. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on electronics, suspension behavior, and tire condition, since this is a complex luxury sedan with expensive systems. It also makes sense to confirm that the car’s advanced driver-assistance features and infotainment functions work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S500 4Matic and S580 4Matic are the two launch configurations, and the S580 adds the V8 and more power. The base car already brings a minimalist cabin, a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a long list of luxury touches, while the higher trim is the better fit if you want the strongest performance and the most effortless feel.
• Powertrain: The S500 4Matic uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, while the S580 4Matic uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both use a nine-speed automatic, EQ Boost mild-hybrid assistance, and all-wheel drive, and the setup is tuned for strong acceleration with a comfort-first character.
• Safety package: Standard driver-assistance features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, a driver-attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. Mercedes also adds an industry-first rear-passenger airbag, and the lane-centering and adaptive cruise systems are described as especially well executed.
• Infotainment: The standard setup includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get six USB ports, and the system supports augmented-reality navigation, voice control from all seats, and biometric or facial-recognition profiles.
• Fuel efficiency: The trip computer averaged 22.4 mpg over about 300 miles, and Mercedes says the mild-hybrid system adds a small amount of electric assist for greater efficiency.

Which 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class trim should I buy?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is offered in 2 trim levels: S500 4Matic and S580 4Matic.

Here's the short version:

• S500 4Matic: This is the better-value choice if you want the S-Class experience at the lower starting price. You still get the 429-hp inline-six, EQ Boost mild-hybrid assistance, all-wheel drive, the 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen, the 12.3-inch digital cluster, and the full suite of standard driver-assistance features.
• S580 4Matic: Choose this if you want the strongest performance and the most effortless flagship feel. Its V8 makes 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, and it is the trim that best matches the S-Class’s luxury-and-power mission.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, so you do not need to move up a trim just to get the core driver-assistance tech.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you are patient.

• Deal availability: 32.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 753 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.28% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 82.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $58,717, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class's resale value?

The current average of $58,717 sits slightly below last year's $65,444.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy more confidently today. For a future seller, it also means your resale outcome will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment rather than on broad market appreciation. Well-kept examples with desirable options should hold up better than neglected ones, especially in a flagship segment where buyers expect a premium experience.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class safe?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class does not have crash-test ratings from NHTSA or IIHS.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

The standard safety suite includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, a driver-attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. Mercedes also includes an industry-first rear-passenger airbag, and the review notes that the lane-centering and adaptive cruise systems work better than many rivals’ versions.

Should I buy a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 32.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.28% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The redesigned model brings a more sophisticated infotainment system, new powertrains, and a more advanced flagship feel.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $63,247, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $58,717 average.
• It adds a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup with a choice of inline-six or V8 power.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of price relief, strong owner satisfaction, and the redesigned S-Class experience, the 2021 is the smarter buy. If you are willing to spend more for the next model year’s updated powertrain lineup and do not mind the higher average price, the 2022 is the secondary path to consider.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.