Diesel Mercedes-Benz Gls: MOT pass rate

88.5% of diesel Mercedes-Benz Gls pass the MOT first time, measured across 1,739 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 61,809.

Diesel against the other Mercedes-Benz Gls 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 Gls specifically, petrol is the strongest at 90.9%, and this diesel version sits 0.3 points below the 88.8% 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 Gls had covered 61,809 miles at test, against 52,111 for the petrol. That is around average, so condition and service history will tell you more than the odometer does.

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 Gls page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Mercedes-Benz Gls

1. Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 1.3% of tests (6.81x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator, 0.9% of tests (4.31x the national rate for this defect)
3. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3.6% of tests (2.15x the national rate for this defect)
4. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.3% of tests (1.19x the national rate for this defect)
5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.1% of tests
6. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.5% of tests
7. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 0.9% of tests
8. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 0.5% of tests
9. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 0.4% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)
10. A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative, 0.4% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)

From 1,748 DVSA-tracked diesel Mercedes-Benz Gls tests, 2024, split out from the Mercedes-Benz Gls's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 9.75% 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 Gls

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

1. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 6.7% of tests (2.1x the national rate for this defect)
2. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 30.1% of tests, also fails
3. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 7.2% of tests, also fails
4. A tyre seriously damaged, 7.1% of tests, also fails
5. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 6.5% of tests
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1.5% of tests
7. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 1.4% of tests
8. A seat belt webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened, 0.5% of tests (1.19x the national rate for this defect)
9. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 0.5% of tests
10. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 0.3% of tests

From 1,748 DVSA-tracked diesel Mercedes-Benz Gls tests, 2024.

Other Mercedes-Benz Gls fuel types

• Petrol Mercedes-Benz Gls - 90.9%

All Mercedes-Benz Gls MOT data · Every model