Mercedes-Benz ML: what fails at MOT
54,000 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz ML in 2024, counted. 23.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
23.8% of Mercedes-Benz ML tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 34.6%, so the ML does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (6% of tests), brakes (4.1% of tests) and suspension (3.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6,050 | 15.7% | 24.4% | 75,500 59,200 to 94,100 |
| 2014 | 7,392 | 16.6% | 27.7% | 84,100 67,400 to 102,700 |
| 2013 | 8,239 | 16.8% | 30.6% | 93,900 76,400 to 113,700 |
| 2012 | 4,444 | 18.9% | 33.4% | 97,600 80,400 to 117,300 |
| 2011 | 4,865 | 28.6% | 36.1% | 106,200 88,800 to 127,000 |
| 2010 | 4,723 | 26.7% | 38.6% | 115,300 95,900 to 137,400 |
| 2009 | 3,794 | 28.5% | 39.8% | 119,000 99,300 to 139,800 |
| 2008 | 4,227 | 30.2% | 41.5% | 126,400 104,900 to 148,500 |
| 2007 | 3,928 | 31.7% | 41.5% | 128,100 106,300 to 150,300 |
| 2006 | 3,150 | 28.7% | 42.4% | 132,800 108,700 to 153,500 |
| 2005 | 1,572 | 38.2% | 42.2% | 127,200 102,300 to 150,700 |
| 2004 | 1,931 | 40.9% | 42.3% | 129,800 106,800 to 154,800 |
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 ML tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | ML | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 6.0% | 10.5% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 4.1% | 6.1% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 3.7% | 8.9% | Less than most |
| Tyres | 3.0% | 4.8% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.2% | 3.0% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.5% | 3.4% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.4% | 3.7% | Less than most |
| Steering | 0.7% | 2.0% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Coil spring2.5%
- Tyre2.2%
- Side light1.6%
- Brake light1.5%
- Engine warning light1.3%
- Headlamp aim1.3%
- Tyre tread1.1%
- Headlamp1.0%
- Brake pipes0.9%
- Brake test0.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.5%
- Side light: not working1.5%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.3%
- Brake light: not working1.3%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.9%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded0.8%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.7%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.7%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.7%
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 edge10.9%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive7.2%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material4.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing1.9%
- Coil spring: corroded1.8%
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
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “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?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Mercedes-Benz ML'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.