Mercedes-Benz Gls
From 3,287 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Glss fare better: 2019 models pass at 92.3% vs 87.2% for 2016.
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements and a tyre cords visible or damaged. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 61 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a tyre seriously damaged | 61 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 60 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 49 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 26 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 22 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated | 16 |
| brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator | 15 |
| number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 15 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 14 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 9 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 47.4% of Gls failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 10.8% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £94.
Mercedes-Benz Gls on UK roads
The fleet is growing: 359 newly registered in the past year with 118 leaving, a net gain of 241. Currently at its highest numbers ever.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 3,385 | 210 | +90 | -61 | +29 |
| 2025 Q2 | 3,357 | 209 | +70 | -0 | +109 |
| 2025 Q1 | 3,251 | 206 | +114 | -54 | +60 |
| 2024 Q4 | 3,200 | 197 | +85 | -3 | +82 |
| 2024 Q3 | 3,127 | 188 | +63 | -47 | +16 |
| 2024 Q2 | 3,109 | 190 | +54 | -40 | +14 |
| 2024 Q1 | 3,104 | 181 | +54 | -13 | +41 |
| 2023 Q4 | 3,067 | 177 | +48 | -41 | +7 |
10 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gls 350 D Amg Line 4Matic Auto | Diesel | 1,186 | 36% |
| Gls 400 Night Ed Exec D 4Mat A | Diesel | 442 | 13% |
| Gls 400 Amg Ln Prem + D 4Mat A | Diesel | 304 | 9% |
| Gls 350D Designo Line 4Matic A | Diesel | 257 | 8% |
| Gls450Businss Class D Mhev 4Ma | Hybrid Electric (Diesel) | 226 | 7% |
| Gls450 Amg Ln Prem+ D Mhev 4Ma | Hybrid Electric (Diesel) | 223 | 7% |
| Gls 400 Amg Line Prem D 4Mat A | Diesel | 191 | 6% |
| Gls 400 Amg Ln Prem+Exe D 4M A | Diesel | 163 | 5% |
| Gls 400 Night Edition D 4Mat A | Diesel | 152 | 5% |
| Gls 350 Grand Ed D 4Matic A | Diesel | 140 | 4% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 92.3% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2018 | 88.5% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2017 | 91.4% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2016 | 87.2% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
Typical mileage
Half of all Glss tested had between 48,066 and 74,885 miles on the clock.
At 62,902 median miles, the Gls has 0.016 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz Gls MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz Gls has a 89.9% MOT pass rate based on 3,287 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz Gls?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz Gls is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 61 failures. Other common issues include tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements.
How many Mercedes-Benz Glss are on UK roads?
There are 3,385 Mercedes-Benz Glss currently licensed on UK roads, with 210 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes-Benz Gls at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz Gls is 62,902 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 48,066 and 74,885 miles.
Buying a used Gls?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.