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Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen) (1998-2004) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen) built around 2004: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen) models built around 2004 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

9% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen) models built around 2004 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 7% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen) models built around 2004 involves the suspension.

Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1998-2004SUVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 4,301 tests of ML models registered 1998-2004.

About 1 in 7 ML W163 (1st gen) MOTs (13.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2004 (21 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,146 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 12 ML W163 (1st gen) MOTs (9.1%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2004 (21 years old).

Based on 1,146 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

W163 (1st gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
63630.8%
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.

How the ML W163 (1st gen) compares

At each age below, see how the ML W163 (1st gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 22,610 tests across 10 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2004 (21 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
63630.8%
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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake pads

High priority

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair 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.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the ML W163 (1st gen).

  1. 1

    Land Rover Defender

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.1%
    Dangerous
    5.8%

    Lower fail rate: 27.2%, against 30.9% for the Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen), both built around 2004.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    5,823 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Toyota Land Cruiser

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.4%

    Lower fail rate: 28.4%, against 30.9% for the Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen), both built around 2004.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,145 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    Land Rover Discovery

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    12.3%
    Dangerous
    5.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.1%

    Lower fail rate: 26.5%, against 30.9% for the Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen), both built around 2004.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,952 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  4. 4

    Land Rover Range Rover

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.8%
    Dangerous
    7.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.8%

    Lower fail rate: 25.2%, against 30.9% for the Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen), both built around 2004.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,269 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

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.

How many are still registered

88%of all Mercedes-Benz ML cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

4 of the 26 ML W163 (1st gen) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 recalls

Top concerns

  • 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
  • Possible loss of power assisted steering fluid

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

What has gone wrong on ML W163 (1st gen) cars built around 2004

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 362 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
91%
Emissions
20%
Steering
20%
Drivetrain
14%
Bodywork
2%

Wear items

Lighting
82%
Brakes
73%
Tyres
47%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 18% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How ML W163 (1st gen) cars have aged

How ML W163 (1st gen) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1719212325Age at MOTBuilt around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (1,912 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (1,446 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (1,160 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (878 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (704 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (1,558 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (1,118 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.0% (872 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (663 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (539 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (1,391 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.0% (1,031 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (794 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (616 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (455 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (722 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (531 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (401 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (322 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (248 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (680 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (503 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (370 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (302 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (244 tests, 2025 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (284 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (189 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1999, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (144 tests, 2023 data)Built around 1999, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (110 tests, 2024 data)1999
First registered around 2004First registered around 2003First registered around 2002First registered around 2001
How each part holds up as W163 (1st gen) cars age

How each part holds up as W163 (1st gen) cars age

The share of diesel cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension91%85%76%77%
Brakes73%73%69%67%
Emissions20%15%12%16%
Tyres47%51%44%44%
Lighting82%81%78%73%
Drivetrain14%8%8%7%
Bodywork2%3%4%3%
Steering20%21%20%16%
Corrosion18%13%18%11%

Based on diesel cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 312 to 446 cars at each age.

W163 (1st gen) variants compared

ML W163 (1st gen) variants built around 2004

The fail rate for each ML W163 (1st gen) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • ML31.6%802 tests

Petrol

  • ML29.4%344 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz ML models of this age

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz ML built around 2004, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the W163 (1st gen) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    38.1%
    Advisory: 458Fail: 10 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    29.3%
    Advisory: 547Fail: 109 (17% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    25.0%
    Advisory: 364Fail: 28 (7% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    18.5%
    Advisory: 304Fail: 20 (6% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    14.5%
    Advisory: 187Fail: 25 (12% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,146 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1st gen) (1998-2004) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,146 21-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 4,301 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz ML models first registered between 1998-2004. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.