Mercedes-Benz GLE: what fails at MOT
60,000 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz GLE in 2024, counted. 9.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
9.7% of Mercedes-Benz GLE tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 15.7%, so the GLE does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3.3% of tests), brakes (0.7% of tests) and suspension (0.6% 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 | 9,307 | 9.3% | 10.9% | 30,700 23,500 to 40,400 |
| 2020 | 10,227 | 7.3% | 11.5% | 37,200 27,800 to 48,300 |
| 2019 | 6,855 | 8.3% | 13.4% | 41,900 31,900 to 52,800 |
| 2018 | 11,547 | 10.6% | 15.6% | 52,700 41,300 to 65,900 |
| 2017 | 9,143 | 11.3% | 18.2% | 59,000 46,400 to 73,900 |
| 2016 | 10,719 | 10.8% | 21.3% | 66,200 52,100 to 82,100 |
| 2015 | 2,626 | 9.7% | 24.4% | 75,100 60,900 to 91,200 |
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 GLE tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | GLE | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.3% | 3.5% |
| Brakes Less than most | 0.7% | 2.1% |
| Suspension Less than most | 0.6% | 1.8% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 0.6% | 2.9% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 0.5% | 2.0% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.4% | 0.8% |
| Body and structure | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.3% | 0.1% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.1%
- Tyre tread1.5%
- Brake pads0.6%
- Engine warning light0.4%
- Headlamp aim0.4%
- Coil spring0.4%
- Number plates0.3%
- Washers0.2%
- Driveshaft joint0.2%
- Wipers0.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.4%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.4%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.4%
- Brake pads: worn down to wear indicator0.2%
- Number plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.2%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.2%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.2%
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 edge9.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.2%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.3%
- Nail in tyre1.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened1.2%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.2%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing0.9%
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?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Mercedes-Benz GLE's own MOT record
Looking at a GLE? Type its registration to 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.