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Mercedes-Benz ML years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

25,053 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2006–2015 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 10 Mercedes-Benz ML years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

74.3%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 73.8% to 74.8%.

In 2025, 74.3% of the 25,053 initial MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz ML cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 63.4%. That is 10.9 points above the same-age average.

In our tables of the highest MOT pass rates by age: joint 15th of 116 cars first used in 2010.

Check a specific ML

Its own MOT history, free.

Mercedes-Benz ML MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2015age 103,13482,70081.6%±1.4+9.7 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 113,78392,90079.8%±1.4+11.2 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 124,076102,50079.7%±1.3+13.9 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 132,489106,20076.3%±1.8+12.8 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 142,407112,30070.1%±1.9+8.9 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 152,380118,40068.0%±2.0+8.7 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 161,767123,80067.3%±2.3+9.0 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 171,900128,50068.2%±2.2+11.0 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 181,725132,50067.6%±2.3+10.2 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 191,392134,10067.2%±2.6+10.2 ptsall: 57.0%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Mercedes-Benz ML first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

84.4% of Mercedes-Benz ML tests at 30,000 to 59,999 miles passed first time, against 69.1% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 74.3% and 57.1%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
30,000–59,9991,64684.4%±1.9+10.1 ptsall: 74.3%
60,000–89,9995,60679.9%±1.1+14.1 ptsall: 65.8%
90,000–119,9998,41674.1%±1.0+14.2 ptsall: 59.9%
120,000 or more9,22469.1%±1.0+12.0 ptsall: 57.1%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, ML tests were above average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Mercedes-Benz ML tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000. 30 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common ML problems at the MOT

Share of the 6,438 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a ML

Based on the areas where Mercedes-Benz ML MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 38.9% of failed ML tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Brakes

    In 24.5% of failed ML tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

  3. Suspension

    In 24.1% of failed ML tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  4. Tyres

    In 22.8% of failed ML tests

    • Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
    • Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
    • Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a ML's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Mercedes-Benz ML cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Mercedes-Benz ML cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.1% failed on tyres, against 4.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 3,124 and 11,637 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory7.1%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.3%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 19.7% of those with a tyre advisory and 18.4% of the others.

Brakes

Of Mercedes-Benz ML cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 9.4% failed on brakes, against 5.8% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,827 and 11,829 cars.

  • With a brake advisory9.4%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted5.8%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 24.2% of those with a brake advisory and 17.2% of the others.

Suspension

Of Mercedes-Benz ML cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.2% failed on suspension, against 6.6% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,667 and 12,924 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory10.2%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted6.6%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 27.8% of those with a suspension advisory and 17.2% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Mercedes-Benz ML questions

Which Mercedes-Benz ML years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2006–2015. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Mercedes-Benz ML reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 74.3% of initial MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz ML cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 63.4%. That is 10.9 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Mercedes-Benz ML problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 38.9% of failed tests), brakes (in 24.5% of failed tests) and suspension (in 24.1% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Mercedes-Benz ML?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Mercedes-Benz ML cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 82,700 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific ML's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Mercedes-Benz ML

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 23 Mercedes-Benz modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Mercedes-Benz ML cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count