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

2,877 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2018–2019 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

Mercedes-Benz X-Class years with MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year: 2019. None is clearly above it. The other year can't be told apart from average.

Below the average for their first-use year2019
Above the average for their first-use yearNone
Can't be told apart from average2018

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.

80.3%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 78.8% to 81.7%.

Mercedes-Benz X-Class, all years80.3%
Same-age average, all vehicles82.4%

In 2025, 80.3% of the 2,877 initial MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz X-Class cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 82.4%. That is 2.1 points below the same-age average.

Check a specific X-Class

Its own MOT history, free.

Mercedes-Benz X-Class 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.

Year	Chart	Testsmedian miles	Passed first time	Against all vehicles that year
2019age 6		1,62161,000	80.6%±2.0	−2.9 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 7		1,25671,800	79.9%±2.4	−1.0 ptsall: 80.9%

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

83.6% of Mercedes-Benz X-Class tests at 30,000 to 59,999 miles passed first time, against 79.1% at 60,000 to 89,999 miles. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 83.1% and 78.5%.

Miles at the test	Tests	Passed first time	Against all vehicles, same age and mileage
30,000–59,999	1,045	83.6%±2.4	+0.6 ptsall: 83.1%
60,000–89,999	1,035	79.1%±2.6	+0.7 ptsall: 78.5%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, X-Class tests were about 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 X-Class 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, 90,000–119,999 and 120,000 or more. 1 test (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and is left out. How we count

Common X-Class problems at the MOT

Share of the 567 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these can add up to more than 100%.

Lights and electrics26.8%
Brakes25.2%
Noise, emissions, leaks23.1%

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.

Most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz X-Class

The defects recorded most often at the 567 failed initial tests on Mercedes-Benz X-Class cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

Defect	Share of failed tests	All vehicles, same age
Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks	21.2%120 tests	5.8%
SRS malfunction indicator lamp warning lamp indicates a faultSeat belts and airbags	14.6%83 tests	1.1%
Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes	10.8%61 tests	10.6%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the X-Class's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing an X-Class

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

Lights and electrics
In 26.8% of failed X-Class 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.
- Check the dashboard warning lights come on when the car is switched on and then go out. Ask about any that stay lit.
Brakes
In 25.2% of failed X-Class tests
- On a clear road, brake firmly and check the car stops 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.
Noise, emissions, leaks
In 23.1% of failed X-Class tests
- Ask to see the car start from cold. Heavy smoke from the exhaust is worth asking about.
- Listen for blowing or rattling from the exhaust with the engine running.
- Look under the car for drips of oil, coolant or other fluids.

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

Check an X-Class's MOT history

Mercedes-Benz X-Class questions

Which Mercedes-Benz X-Class years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2019. None is clearly above average. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Mercedes-Benz X-Class reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 80.3% of initial MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz X-Class cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 82.4%. That is 2.1 points below 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 X-Class problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 26.8% of failed tests), brakes (in 25.2% of failed tests) and noise, emissions, leaks (in 23.1% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz X-Class?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Mercedes-Benz X-Class cars first used in 2018, about 7 years old, had a median of 71,800 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific X-Class'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 X-Class

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

Compare history checks What MOT history doesn't show

Other Mercedes-Benz models

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

All 26 Mercedes-Benz models Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

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