Mercedes-Benz G: MOT pass rate and reliability data
The Mercedes-Benz G passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 14.7 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 1,312 individual Mercedes-Benz G tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.
The numbers
| First-time pass rate | 91.4% |
| UK national average | 76.7% |
| Difference | +14.7 points |
| Tests analysed | 1,312 |
| Average mileage at test | 31,600 miles |
| Average year of manufacture | 2019 |
| Reliability rank | 487 of 2,005 models |
What this means if you are buying one
A 91.4% first-time pass rate means roughly 9 in every 100 Mercedes-Benz Gs presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average Mercedes-Benz G tested had covered 31,600 miles and was built around 2019.
What this means at salvage auction
Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. On a Mercedes-Benz G bought as a repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.
Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.
Looking at a specific Mercedes-Benz G rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see what damaged Mercedes-Benz Gs actually sold for at UK salvage auction.
Most common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz G
- Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 0.9% of tests (5.63x the national rate for this defect)
- A tyre seriously damaged, 1.3% of tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 0.7% of tests
- A tyre cords visible or damaged, 0.3% of tests
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 0.3% of tests
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 0.2% of tests
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 0.2% of tests
- a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 0.2% of tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 0.2% of tests
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 0.1% of tests
From 4,374 DVSA-tracked Mercedes-Benz G tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 5.29% of these flagged Mercedes-Benz G defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 4.97% nationally.
Mercedes-Benz G pass rate by model year
Pass rates fall steadily as cars age, so the model year matters as much as the model. First-time pass rate for each Mercedes-Benz G year:
- 2019 Mercedes-Benz G - 92.3% first-time pass, 481 tests
- 2020 Mercedes-Benz G - 93.7% first-time pass, 397 tests
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz G - 91.9% first-time pass, 347 tests
Mercedes-Benz G by fuel type
Diesel and petrol versions of the same car fail on different things, so the fuel type moves the number:
- Petrol Mercedes-Benz G - 92.8% first-time pass, 1,012 tests
- Diesel Mercedes-Benz G - 91% first-time pass, 300 tests
Other Mercedes-Benz models
- Mercedes-Benz C - 77.4%
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class - 78.7%
- Mercedes-Benz E - 79.2%
- Mercedes-Benz A - 89.5%
- Mercedes-Benz Vito - 72.7%
- Mercedes-Benz Gla - 85.2%
- Mercedes-Benz Glc - 87.8%
- Mercedes-Benz B-Class - 74.7%
Models with a similar pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz A 250 Amg Line Premium + E A - 91.4%
- Audi A3 Sport 30 Tfsi - 91.4%
- MG Hs Excite S-A - 91.4%
- Nissan Qashqai N-Tec Dig-T S-A - 91.4%
- Cupra Formentor V2 Tsi S-A - 91.4%
- Vauxhall Crossland Ultimate Turbo Auto - 91.4%
If this car is a salvage or write-off
- What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
- What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
- Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences
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