Diesel Mercedes-Benz Ml: MOT pass rate

77.2% of diesel Mercedes-Benz Mls pass the MOT first time, measured across 29,086 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 110,581.

Diesel against the other Mercedes-Benz Ml 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 Ml specifically, diesel is the strongest at 77.2%, and this diesel version sits 0.4 points above the 76.8% 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 Ml had covered 110,581 miles at test, against 112,809 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

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

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Mercedes-Benz Ml

1. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.1% of tests (3.22x the national rate for this defect)
2. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 5.8% of tests (2.54x the national rate for this defect)
3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 2.2% of tests (2.1x the national rate for this defect)
4. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect)
5. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.8% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect)
6. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.8% of tests (1.36x the national rate for this defect)
7. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.2% of tests (1.34x the national rate for this defect)
8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3% of tests
9. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.4% of tests
10. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.4% of tests

From 29,285 DVSA-tracked diesel Mercedes-Benz Ml tests, 2024, split out from the Mercedes-Benz Ml's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.7% 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 Ml

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

1. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 15.7% of tests (2.83x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 14.2% of tests (2.29x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 1.7% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this defect)
4. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 4.7% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)
5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 33% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 1.6% of tests (1.16x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 12.2% of tests
8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 9.5% of tests
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 8.3% of tests
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 8.2% of tests, also fails

From 29,285 DVSA-tracked diesel Mercedes-Benz Ml tests, 2024.

Other Mercedes-Benz Ml fuel types

• Petrol Mercedes-Benz Ml - 73%

All Mercedes-Benz Ml MOT data · Every model