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Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen) (2005-2011) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen) built around 2011: about average at the MOT

Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen) models built around 2011 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen) right now?

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

Key figure

25% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen) models built around 2011 ended in a fail (retests included), against 29% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen) models built around 2011 involves the tyres.

Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2005-2011SUVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 12,701 tests of ML models registered 2005-2011.

About 1 in 12 ML W164 (2nd gen) MOTs (8.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2011 (14 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,451 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 15 ML W164 (2nd gen) MOTs (6.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2011 (14 years old).

Based on 1,451 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

W164 (2nd gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
1,45125.0%
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
54431.6%

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 20 years old.

How the ML W164 (2nd gen) compares

At each age below, see how the ML W164 (2nd gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 61,232 tests across 14 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2011 (14 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
1,45125.0%
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
54431.6%

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.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

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

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.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

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 W164 (2nd gen).

  1. 1

    Porsche Cayenne

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    3.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.8%

    Lower fail rate: 15.3%, against 25.0% for the Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen), both built around 2011.

    1,258 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  2. 2

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.4%

    Lower fail rate: 21.4%, against 25.0% for the Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen), both built around 2011.

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

    2,366 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  3. 3

    Mini (R60)

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.1%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen) on these figures.

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

    5,223 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  4. 4

    Audi Q7

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    6.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.6%

    Lower fail rate: 18.7%, against 25.0% for the Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen), both built around 2011.

    2,037 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

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

10 of the 26 ML W164 (2nd gen) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 10 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
  • Floor mat may impede accelerator pedal

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

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Engine sizes across all diesel ML tests (not specific to W164 (2nd gen)).

2.0 to 3.0 litres24.7%2,392 tests3.0 litres or more23.8%681 tests
How ML W164 (2nd gen) cars have aged

How ML W164 (2nd 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%101214161820Age at MOTBuilt around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 21.9% (2,235 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 22.7% (2,128 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.0% (1,980 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 23.3% (1,833 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (1,639 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (2,235 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.9% (2,176 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.7% (1,998 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (1,800 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (1,593 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (1,760 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 26.4% (1,683 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (1,466 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (1,275 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 24.9% (1,042 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (2,424 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (2,207 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (1,882 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (1,637 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (1,340 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (2,146 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (1,871 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (1,580 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 26.4% (1,345 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 24.5% (1,034 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (2,178 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (1,920 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (1,641 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (1,240 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (973 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (1,296 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (1,109 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (861 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (698 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (544 tests, 2025 data)2005
First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009First registered around 2008
W164 (2nd gen) variants compared
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 2011, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the W164 (2nd gen) on its own.

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

    22.8%
    Advisory: 1,109Fail: 64 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    18.4%
    Advisory: 568Fail: 13 (2% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    11.9%
    Advisory: 484Fail: 64 (12% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    8.7%
    Advisory: 195Fail: 143 (42% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    Drive shaft joint cover badly deteriorated

    7.9%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,090 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen) right now?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2011 (14 years old), the Mercedes-Benz ML W164 (2nd gen) (2005-2011) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,451 14-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 12,701 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz ML models first registered between 2005-2011. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.