Mercedes-benz G-class Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes-benz G-class car check
Is the Mercedes-benz G-class reliable? We analysed 15,659 real MOT tests across 2,254 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes-benz G-class? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes-benz G-class is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include headlamp aim too low, brake pipe excessively corroded and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz G-class.
Mercedes-benz G-class Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz G-class. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes-benz G-class MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes-benz G-class to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes-benz G-class Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz G-class fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes-benz G-class Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz G-class owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes-benz G-class MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz G-class year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 68 | 92.6% | 24,055 | 30,803 | 49,690 |
| 2019 | 492 | 90.0% | 20,530 | 32,982 | 46,640 |
| 2018 | 1,638 | 89.7% | 21,239 | 32,357 | 46,591 |
| 2017 | 1,769 | 86.9% | 21,161 | 32,311 | 46,375 |
| 2016 | 1,520 | 85.9% | 25,304 | 38,648 | 55,677 |
| 2015 | 1,489 | 85.6% | 25,288 | 38,733 | 56,481 |
| 2014 | 1,416 | 87.0% | 24,004 | 38,553 | 57,636 |
| 2013 | 1,522 | 88.0% | 26,793 | 44,116 | 66,925 |
| 2012 | 911 | 83.2% | 30,591 | 48,722 | 75,012 |
| 2011 | 659 | 85.7% | 21,596 | 38,788 | 64,716 |
| 2010 | 154 | 79.9% | 32,466 | 54,698 | 84,160 |
| 2009 | 80 | 85.0% | 32,936 | 69,308 | 99,628 |
| 2008 | 120 | 80.0% | 40,919 | 61,589 | 96,215 |
| 2007 | 94 | 78.7% | 43,327 | 65,347 | 100,750 |
| 2006 | 94 | 71.3% | 28,198 | 57,368 | 91,227 |
| 2005 | 161 | 79.5% | 15,711 | 34,549 | 66,836 |
| 2004 | 130 | 84.6% | 51,629 | 88,980 | 125,688 |
| 2003 | 113 | 85.0% | 19,739 | 51,284 | 86,915 |
| 2002 | 280 | 75.7% | 53,967 | 87,446 | 127,546 |
| 2001 | 387 | 73.6% | 54,933 | 73,747 | 90,579 |
How Long Does a Mercedes-benz G-class Last?
Based on 2,254 Mercedes-benz G-class vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes-benz G-class Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz G-class MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes-benz G-class
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.6% MOT pass rate from 68 tests
58.3% MOT pass rate from 72 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz G-class is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.6% across 68 tests. The 1986 model year has the lowest pass rate at 58.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mercedes-benz G-class Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-benz G-class THIS CAR | 83.9% | 15,659 | 43,156 mi | 42 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz C | 77.6% | 8,031,355 | 77,082 mi | 32 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz E | 79.4% | 4,722,746 | 83,960 mi | 33 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz A-class | 77.6% | 4,204,702 | 57,023 mi | 28 yrs |
| Nissan Tiida | 69.9% | 12,971 | 54,082 mi | 17 yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz G-class outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes-benz G-class you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mercedes-benz G-classShould you buy a used Mercedes-benz G-class?
The Mercedes-benz G-class has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.9% across 15,659 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Mercedes-benz G-class are headlamp aim too low (111 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (76), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (63). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Mercedes-benz G-class owner drives around 4,296 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Mercedes-benz G-class models stay on UK roads for around 42 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.