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Mercedes-benz Gl 320 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mercedes-benz Gl 320 car check

Is the Mercedes-benz Gl 320 reliable? We analysed 13,304 real MOT tests across 894 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 13,304 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
78.6%
Typical Mileage
87,770mi
Annual Mileage
7,491mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
20yrs

The Mercedes-benz Gl 320 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 position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz Gl 320.

Mercedes-benz Gl 320 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz Gl 320. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mercedes-benz Gl 320 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mercedes-benz Gl 320 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

83.3%
2010
78.9%
2009
78.6%
2008
78.8%
2007
76.6%
2006

Mercedes-benz Gl 320 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz Gl 320 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 356
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 182
position lamp(s) not working 131
Brake pipe excessively corroded 120
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 95
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 86
Brake hose excessively deteriorated 79

Mercedes-benz Gl 320 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Mercedes-benz Gl 320 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 147

Mercedes-benz Gl 320 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz Gl 320 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,451 mi/yr
Typical
7,491 mi/yr
Average
8,633 mi/yr
Heavy usage
11,318 mi/yr

Mercedes-benz Gl 320 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz Gl 320 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2010 174 83.3% 62,635 81,890 109,169
2009 1,948 78.9% 56,988 83,703 114,764
2008 1,895 78.6% 59,036 90,722 124,950
2007 7,509 78.8% 58,565 88,690 120,233
2006 1,652 76.6% 58,312 86,706 118,373

How Long Does a Mercedes-benz Gl 320 Last?

Based on 894 Mercedes-benz Gl 320 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.0 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
20 years

Mercedes-benz Gl 320 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz Gl 320 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
87,770 mi
75th Percentile
119,827 mi
95th Percentile
164,724 mi
Max Recorded
858,790 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes-benz Gl 320

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2010

83.3% MOT pass rate from 174 tests

Year to avoid
2006

76.6% MOT pass rate from 1,652 tests

The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz Gl 320 is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.3% across 174 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.6% — 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 320 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 320 THIS CAR 78.6% 13,304 87,770 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
Audi A4 S Line TDI 82.2% 11,423 119,229 mi — yrs

Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz Gl 320 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mercedes-benz Gl 320?

The Mercedes-benz Gl 320 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.6% across 13,304 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 320 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (356 recorded failures), shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (182), and position lamp(s) not working (131). 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 320 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 320 owner drives around 7,491 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 320 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.

Mercedes-benz Gl 320 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mercedes-benz Gl 320 reliable?
Based on 13,304 MOT tests, the Mercedes-benz Gl 320 has a 78.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Mercedes-benz Gl 320?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, shock absorber has a serious fluid leak, and position lamp(s) not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mercedes-benz Gl 320 do per year?
The typical Mercedes-benz Gl 320 does around 7,491 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mercedes-benz Gl 320 last?
Most Mercedes-benz Gl 320 models stay on UK roads for around 20 years based on our analysis of 894 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mercedes-benz Gl 320?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Mercedes-benz Gl 320?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz Gl 320 is 2010 with a 83.3% pass rate across 174 tests.