In 2025, 28,597 Mercedes-Benz ML cars had a regular MOT in Great Britain. 72% passed first time, compared with 63% for all cars of the same ages, which makes the ML better than average. Adjusted for age, it ranks 15 of the 217 most-tested car models.
That comparison matters: older cars fail more often, so a raw pass rate flatters models that are mostly young. We compare each model against every car on the road at the same age.
Pass rate by age
At 10 years old, 82% of MLs passed first time (all cars that age: 72%). By 20 years, that figure is 60% (all cars: 58%). It beats the average car at every age with enough data, from 10 to 19 years.
Mercedes-Benz ML All cars of that age
| Age | Tests | ML passed first time | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 years | 3,133 | 82% | 72% | 85,082 |
| 11 years | 3,780 | 80% | 69% | 94,156 |
| 12 years | 4,060 | 80% | 66% | 104,543 |
| 13 years | 2,203 | 76% | 63% | 107,823 |
| 14 years | 2,377 | 70% | 61% | 113,645 |
| 15 years | 2,338 | 68% | 59% | 120,384 |
| 16 years | 1,733 | 67% | 58% | 125,320 |
| 17 years | 1,873 | 68% | 57% | 130,163 |
| 18 years | 1,697 | 68% | 57% | 133,549 |
| 19 years | 1,366 | 67% | 57% | 132,549 |
| 20 years | 760 | 60% | 58% | 128,662 |
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz ML
The area that lets the ML down most, relative to other cars, is emissions and leaks: 4.7% of tests failed on it, 1.2 times the rate for the average car. It does comparatively well on visibility and suspension.
Share of ML tests failing on this area Average car
The six most common failure items
| Failure item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | Suspension | 5.2% |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lights and electrics | 3.8% |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | Lights and electrics | 3.3% |
| Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | Lights and electrics | 2.8% |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | Tyres | 2.8% |
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | Emissions and leaks | 2.6% |
What to check when buying a used ML
Based on where the ML fails more often than other cars, these are the checks worth making before you buy:
- Emissions and leaks: Look for oil and coolant leaks underneath, listen for exhaust blows on a cold start, and watch for smoke when revving. Repair guide
- Brakes: Look through the wheels for lipped or scored discs, check the handbrake holds on a slope, and feel for pulling or vibration under firm braking. Repair guide
- Lights and electrics: Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, number-plate and fog lights. Bulbs are cheap, but a seller who hasn’t noticed one out may have missed more. Repair guide
Then check the individual car: its own MOT history will show whether it follows the pattern. A car with repeated advisories in the same weak area is more likely to fail its next test.
Check a specific ML
Enter the registration to see its full MOT history, mileage record and reliability score, compared with these figures.
Check a MLFrequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for a Mercedes-Benz ML?
In 2025, 72% of Mercedes-Benz ML cars passed their MOT first time, across 28,597 tests. Cars of the same ages averaged 63%.
What do Mercedes-Benz ML cars most often fail their MOT on?
The most common failure items were: a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened (5.2% of tests); the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (3.8% of tests); a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (3.3% of tests).
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (74%), Mercedes-Benz A-Class (77%), Mercedes-Benz E-Class (77%), Mercedes-Benz Vito (67%), Mercedes-Benz B-Class (72%), Mercedes-Benz Glc (85%). All Mercedes-Benz models
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 (class 4 normal tests; first-time pass means passed with no faults fixed at the test). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.