2009 · 15 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2009 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT pass rate and common faults

1,961 MOT tests in 2024. 65.4% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

112Well above average
Passed first time65.4%
Failed or needed repairs34.6%
Typical mileage at test120,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,961 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Side repeaters: not working5.5%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.1%
  3. Position lamp: not working3.2%
  4. Stop lamp: not working3.1%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.8%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.2%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
    67 marked dangerous
  8. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.9%
  9. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.9%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
    78 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics27.6%
  2. Brakes17.3%
  3. Tyres7.2%
  4. Suspension7.1%
  5. Emissions & leaks5.5%
  6. Body & chassis3.8%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.7%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine23.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.8%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.2%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn6.0%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: side repeaters: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML?

In 2024, 65.4% of 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,961 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML?

The most common failure reasons were side repeaters: not working; coil spring: fractured or broken; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 112, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).