Mercedes-Benz X
From 10,961 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Xs fare better: 2020 models pass at 88.2% vs 84.5% for 2018.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction and a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm. The top issue, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, caused 188 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.
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 188 |
| an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction | 179 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 168 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 135 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 112 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 108 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 86 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 57 |
| number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 55 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 53 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 16.5% of X failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 46.9% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £110.
Mercedes-Benz X on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 44 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 44. Now at 85.8% of its peak (4,438 in 2020 Q3).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 3,626 | 183 | +0 | -44 | -44 |
| 2025 Q2 | 3,680 | 173 | +0 | -0 | +20 |
| 2025 Q1 | 3,660 | 173 | +0 | -0 | +85 |
| 2024 Q4 | 3,583 | 165 | +0 | -0 | +60 |
| 2024 Q3 | 3,542 | 146 | +0 | -0 | +72 |
| 2024 Q2 | 3,485 | 131 | +0 | -44 | -44 |
| 2024 Q1 | 3,527 | 133 | +0 | -40 | -40 |
| 2023 Q4 | 3,572 | 128 | +0 | -54 | -54 |
4 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| X250 Power D 4Matic Auto | Diesel | 1,250 | 35% |
| X350 Power D 4Matic Auto | Diesel | 1,202 | 34% |
| X250 Progressive D 4Matic Auto | Diesel | 1,000 | 28% |
| X250 Pure D 4Matic Auto | Diesel | 114 | 3% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 88.2% | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 2019 | 86.9% | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2018 | 84.5% | engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction |
| 2017 | 88.5% | an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction, windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view |
Typical mileage
Half of all Xs tested had between 41,388 and 77,014 miles on the clock.
At 63,754 median miles, the X has 0.021 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz X MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz X has a 86.3% MOT pass rate based on 10,961 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz X?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz X is engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, which caused 188 failures. Other common issues include an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction.
How many Mercedes-Benz Xs are on UK roads?
There are 3,626 Mercedes-Benz Xs currently licensed on UK roads, with 183 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes-Benz X at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz X is 63,754 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 41,388 and 77,014 miles.
Buying a used X?
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.