Mercedes-Benz GLC: what fails at MOT
144,000 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz GLC in 2024, counted. 10.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
10.7% of Mercedes-Benz GLC tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 15.3%, so the GLC does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (2.8% of tests), suspension (1.7% of tests) and brakes (0.9% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,610 | 6.8% | 10.9% | 27,600 20,100 to 36,500 |
| 2020 | 21,560 | 8.1% | 11.5% | 33,700 25,100 to 43,100 |
| 2019 | 31,737 | 9.4% | 13.4% | 39,900 30,200 to 51,200 |
| 2018 | 34,435 | 12.0% | 15.6% | 48,600 37,600 to 61,200 |
| 2017 | 24,005 | 12.3% | 18.2% | 59,200 46,400 to 73,900 |
| 2016 | 16,742 | 14.1% | 21.3% | 68,900 55,200 to 84,200 |
| 2015 | 2,530 | 14.9% | 24.4% | 72,900 59,900 to 88,700 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Mercedes-Benz GLC tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | GLC | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 2.8% | 3.4% | |
| Suspension | 1.7% | 1.6% | |
| Brakes | 0.9% | 2.0% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.7% | 0.8% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 0.7% | 2.0% | Less than most |
| Lights and electrics | 0.6% | 2.7% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 0.4% | 0.5% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre1.9%
- Ball joint1.3%
- Tyre tread1.0%
- Brake pads0.7%
- Engine warning light0.7%
- Headlamp aim0.4%
- Washers0.4%
- Driveshaft joint0.3%
- Coil spring0.3%
- Wipers0.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.3%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.9%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.7%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.5%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.3%
- Brake pads: worn down to wear indicator0.3%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.3%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.3%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.2%
- Ball joint: has slight play3.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.2%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.6%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.6%
- Nail in tyre1.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
Check a Mercedes-Benz GLC's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.