Mercedes-benz Gl Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes-benz Gl car check
Is the Mercedes-benz Gl reliable? We analysed 50,164 real MOT tests across 4,735 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes-benz Gl? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes-benz Gl is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, shock absorber has a serious fluid leak and tyre has ply or cords exposed. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz Gl.
Mercedes-benz Gl Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz Gl. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes-benz Gl MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes-benz Gl to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes-benz Gl Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz Gl fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes-benz Gl Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mercedes-benz Gl models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mercedes-benz Gl Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz Gl owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes-benz Gl MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz Gl year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 58 | 93.1% | 21,576 | 33,176 | 44,063 |
| 2020 | 82 | 91.5% | 21,384 | 30,816 | 55,165 |
| 2019 | 216 | 86.1% | 23,787 | 34,554 | 46,916 |
| 2018 | 123 | 89.4% | 23,639 | 47,518 | 63,176 |
| 2017 | 94 | 86.2% | 40,194 | 65,195 | 83,863 |
| 2016 | 1,941 | 86.0% | 36,378 | 54,608 | 77,274 |
| 2015 | 6,316 | 86.1% | 38,387 | 57,308 | 80,602 |
| 2014 | 6,212 | 85.9% | 41,592 | 62,433 | 86,268 |
| 2013 | 6,484 | 85.4% | 46,871 | 70,408 | 96,052 |
| 2012 | 1,448 | 84.3% | 46,802 | 75,628 | 104,552 |
| 2011 | 4,594 | 83.4% | 51,788 | 79,036 | 110,100 |
| 2010 | 3,605 | 81.6% | 53,222 | 81,567 | 112,104 |
| 2009 | 2,170 | 80.1% | 55,767 | 87,109 | 115,176 |
| 2008 | 5,295 | 80.5% | 53,092 | 84,380 | 116,092 |
| 2007 | 7,962 | 79.0% | 60,202 | 90,716 | 122,140 |
| 2006 | 2,857 | 79.6% | 58,310 | 88,798 | 121,105 |
| 2003 | 75 | 74.7% | 25,344 | 33,550 | 60,017 |
| 2001 | 113 | 75.2% | 41,967 | 55,886 | 84,245 |
| 2000 | 50 | 72.0% | 57,582 | 94,744 | 126,650 |
| 1999 | 83 | 68.7% | 74,125 | 105,466 | 149,339 |
How Long Does a Mercedes-benz Gl Last?
Based on 4,735 Mercedes-benz Gl vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes-benz Gl Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz Gl 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 Gl
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.1% MOT pass rate from 58 tests
68.7% MOT pass rate from 83 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz Gl is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.1% across 58 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.7% — 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 Gl Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-benz Gl THIS CAR | 82.9% | 50,164 | 73,322 mi | 20 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 |
| Fiat Camper | 76% | 19,075 | 47,506 mi | 41 yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz Gl outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes-benz Gl 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 GlShould you buy a used Mercedes-benz Gl?
The Mercedes-benz Gl has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.9% across 50,164 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 Gl are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (610 recorded failures), shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (271), and tyre has ply or cords exposed (232). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mercedes-benz Gl with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Mercedes-benz Gl owner drives around 7,279 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 Gl models stay on UK roads for around 20 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.