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Mercedes-Benz ML reliability by build year

Coverage 1998-20154 named generationsSUVDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Mercedes-Benz ML built around 2014: fails its MOT less often than average

Mercedes-Benz ML models built around 2014 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Mercedes-Benz ML by number plate

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz ML models built around 2014 ended in a fail (retests included), against 25% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz ML models built around 2014 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Brake pads

High priority

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

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.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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 ML's generation

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

ML W166 (3rd gen)

W166 (3rd gen) (2011-2015)

Excellent
DIESELPETROL

16.3% fail rate, built around 2015 (10 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 22.8%)

From 4,331 MOT tests at this ageView details →
ML W164 (2nd gen)

W164 (2nd gen) (2005-2011)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

24.6% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 3,090 MOT tests at this ageView details →
ML W163 (1st gen)

W163 (1st gen) (1998-2004)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

30.9% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 1,146 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 ML.

See every build year for the Mercedes-Benz ML

Side-by-side

Mercedes-Benz ML 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
W166 (3rd gen) (2011-2015)
Excellent
Excellent16.3%built around 2015 (10 years old)from 4,331 MOT tests at this age
W164 (2nd gen) (2005-2011)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings24.6%built around 2011 (14 years old)from 3,090 MOT tests at this age
W163 (1st gen) (1998-2004)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate30.9%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 1,146 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the ML, 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 ML fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mercedes-Benz ML 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
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,34615.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
4,33116.3%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
4,71517.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
4,44717.9%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
2,78521.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
3,09024.6%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,76925.8%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
2,12125.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
2,54725.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,82724.6%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,44227.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,18031.2%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,14630.9%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
93430.5%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
68930.5%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
41833.7%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
47829.5%

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 24 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 11-year-old Mercedes-Benz ML models

These issues come from 11-year-old Mercedes-Benz ML models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough 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

    20.7%
    Advisory: 1,572Fail: 101 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    7.6%
    Advisory: 389Fail: 55 (12% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    7.2%
    Advisory: 342Fail: 2 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    6.4%
    Advisory: 438Fail: 2 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    5.8%
    Advisory: 254Fail: 132 (34% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,715 MOT tests on 11-year-old Mercedes-Benz ML models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 11-year-old Mercedes-Benz ML models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres27%
  2. Other + Tyres16%
  3. Suspension + Tyres15%
  4. Brakes + Suspension13%

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

Across 1,287 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz ML cars built around 2014 (11 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

88%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

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.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

26 recalls in all

18 of the 26 Mercedes-Benz ML recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 17 more

Top concerns

  • Front passenger airbag may be deactivated
  • The driver's air bag may have a chemical change to its propellant over time
  • Faulty control unit may cause vehicle to perform outside specification

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
    12.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.7%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.6%, against 17.6% for the Mercedes-Benz ML, both built around 2014.

    1,893 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  2. 2

    Toyota RAV4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.7%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz ML on these figures.

    7 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,798 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  3. 3

    Land Rover Discovery

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.1%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz ML on these figures.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    8,214 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  4. 4

    Honda CR-V

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.5%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 2.5%, against 5.3% for the Mercedes-Benz ML.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,553 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

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 2014 (11 years old), the Mercedes-Benz ML across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,715 11-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 ML ever sold: 36,265 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2014 (11 years old): 4,715 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.