Diesel Mercedes-Benz Gl: MOT pass rate

83.9% of diesel Mercedes-Benz Gls pass the MOT first time, measured across 2,812 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 102,554.

Diesel against the other Mercedes-Benz Gl versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Mercedes-Benz Gl specifically, petrol is the strongest at 89.1%, and this diesel version sits 0.7 points below the 84.6% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Mercedes-Benz Gl had covered 102,554 miles at test, against 67,124 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Mercedes-Benz Gl page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Mercedes-Benz Gl

1. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 0.7% of tests (2.28x the national rate for this defect)
2. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.7% of tests (1.64x the national rate for this defect)
3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1.6% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect)
4. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.9% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)
5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 4.2% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)
6. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 0.8% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this defect)
7. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.9% of tests
8. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.7% of tests
9. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1.1% of tests
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 1% of tests

From 2,839 DVSA-tracked diesel Mercedes-Benz Gl tests, 2024, split out from the Mercedes-Benz Gl's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 6.32% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Mercedes-Benz Gl

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Cable damaged or knotted, 0.7% of tests (8.82x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose or worn smooth, 1.4% of tests (6.94x the national rate for this defect)
3. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 11.1% of tests (2x the national rate for this defect)
4. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 12.1% of tests (1.95x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 5.7% of tests (1.78x the national rate for this defect)
6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 33.7% of tests (1.27x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 4.8% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 10.2% of tests
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 6.4% of tests, also fails
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 6.3% of tests

From 2,839 DVSA-tracked diesel Mercedes-Benz Gl tests, 2024.

Other Mercedes-Benz Gl fuel types

• Petrol Mercedes-Benz Gl - 89.1%

All Mercedes-Benz Gl MOT data · Every model