Mercedes Ml Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes Ml car check
Is the Mercedes Ml reliable? We analysed 3,846 real MOT tests across 259 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes Ml? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes Ml is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, stop lamp not working and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes Ml.
Mercedes Ml Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes Ml. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes Ml MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes Ml to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes Ml Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes Ml fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes Ml Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes Ml owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes Ml MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes Ml year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 279 | 83.2% | 42,746 | 77,323 | 102,498 |
| 2008 | 527 | 81.0% | 64,948 | 90,468 | 125,685 |
| 2007 | 875 | 80.8% | 59,482 | 92,579 | 122,019 |
| 2006 | 973 | 76.5% | 57,529 | 85,567 | 119,898 |
| 2005 | 175 | 77.7% | 63,938 | 95,503 | 126,022 |
| 2004 | 82 | 75.6% | 64,664 | 102,998 | 127,179 |
| 2003 | 194 | 69.1% | 67,422 | 98,397 | 126,635 |
| 2002 | 174 | 74.7% | 48,510 | 85,656 | 111,182 |
| 2001 | 218 | 71.1% | 76,031 | 97,364 | 123,716 |
| 2000 | 112 | 67.0% | 60,958 | 80,356 | 102,002 |
| 1999 | 151 | 68.9% | 69,308 | 92,286 | 117,248 |
How Long Does a Mercedes Ml Last?
Based on 259 Mercedes Ml vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes Ml Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes Ml 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 Ml
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.2% MOT pass rate from 279 tests
67.0% MOT pass rate from 112 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes Ml is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.2% across 279 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mercedes Ml Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes Ml THIS CAR | 77.3% | 3,846 | 90,009 mi | 27 yrs |
| Mercedes Motorhome | 76.7% | 14,848 | 66,873 mi | 45 yrs |
| Mercedes Unknown | 79.2% | 11,881 | 102,484 mi | 39 yrs |
| Mercedes Camper | 74.6% | 8,342 | 82,260 mi | 47 yrs |
| Vauxhall Combo 2000 Dynamic Td | 80% | 2,328 | 49,044 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes Motorhome (76.7% pass rate) and the Mercedes Unknown (79.2% pass rate), the Mercedes Ml sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes Ml 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 MlShould you buy a used Mercedes Ml?
The Mercedes Ml has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.3% across 3,846 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 Ml are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (63 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (50), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (50). 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 Ml owner drives around 7,366 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 Ml models stay on UK roads for around 27 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.