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Mercedes-Benz GLS reliability by build year

Coverage 2013-present2 named generationsSUVDIESEL

We've only got 620 MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz GLS models built around 2018 (7 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz GLS built around 2018: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Mercedes-Benz GLS models built around 2018 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Mercedes-Benz GLS by number plate

Key figure

7% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz GLS models built around 2018 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 5% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz GLS models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mercedes-Benz GLS's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your GLS's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

GLS X167

X167 (2020-present)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESEL

13.4% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Likely between 9.6% and 18.3%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 232 MOT tests at this ageView details →
X

X166 (GL/GLS) (2013-2019)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

11.6% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Likely between 9.3% and 14.4%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 620 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

See every build year for the Mercedes-Benz GLS

Side-by-side

Mercedes-Benz GLS generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
X167 (2020-present)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate13.4%likely between 9.6% and 18.3%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 232 MOT tests at this age
X166 (GL/GLS) (2013-2019)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate11.6%likely between 9.3% and 14.4%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 620 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the GLS, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Mercedes-Benz GLS fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mercedes-Benz GLS ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
37513.6%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
40812.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
43213.4%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
54611.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
62011.6%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
61310.0%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
19815.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 9 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz GLS models

These issues come from 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz GLS models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    23.2%
    Advisory: 237Fail: 34 (13% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    6.8%
    Advisory: 52Fail: 5 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    6.0%
    Advisory: 60Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Minor

    Drive shaft joint cover badly deteriorated

    4.3%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    4.2%
    Advisory: 19Fail: 10 (34% of the times it was found)

Based on 620 MOT tests on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz GLS models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz GLS models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Tyres37%
  2. Drivetrain + Tyres18%
  3. Other + Tyres17%
  4. Brakes + Other13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 99 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz GLS cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

46 recalls in all

27 of the 46 Mercedes-Benz GLS recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 26 more

Top concerns

  • Oil foam may develop in the active curve system oil reservoir
  • On affected vehicles the fuel pump impeller might not meet specifications and may deform.
  • Installation of A/C drain hoses

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 11.6% for the Mercedes-Benz GLS, both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.5%, against 11.6% for the Mercedes-Benz GLS, both built around 2018.

    4,706 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 11.6% for the Mercedes-Benz GLS, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Lower fail rate: 8.7%, against 11.6% for the Mercedes-Benz GLS, both built around 2018.

    4,936 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Mercedes-Benz GLS across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 3rd lowest fail rate of 15 Mercedes-Benz models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 620 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Mercedes-Benz GLS ever sold: 3,192 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 620 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.