Mercedes-Benz X: MOT pass rate and reliability data
The Mercedes-Benz X passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 5.6 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 3,851 individual Mercedes-Benz X tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.
The numbers
| First-time pass rate | 82.3% |
| UK national average | 76.7% |
| Difference | +5.6 points |
| Tests analysed | 3,851 |
| Average mileage at test | 60,621 miles |
| Average year of manufacture | 2019 |
| Reliability rank | 1,364 of 2,005 models |
What this means if you are buying one
A 82.3% first-time pass rate means roughly 18 in every 100 Mercedes-Benz X 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 X tested had covered 60,621 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 X 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 X 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 X actually sold for at UK salvage auction.
Most common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz X
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction, 1.7% of tests (5.6x the national rate for this defect)
- Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 0.5% of tests (3.36x the national rate for this defect)
- A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative, 0.5% of tests (2.5x the national rate for this defect)
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.8% of tests (1.98x the national rate for this defect)
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 1.3% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect)
- a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 1.6% of tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1.1% of tests
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 1.1% of tests
- A tyre seriously damaged, 0.5% of tests
- Parking brake inoperative on one side, 0.5% of tests
From 10,442 DVSA-tracked Mercedes-Benz X tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 5.43% of these flagged Mercedes-Benz X defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 4.97% nationally.
Mercedes-Benz X 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 X year:
- 2018 Mercedes-Benz X - 81.8% first-time pass, 1,398 tests
- 2019 Mercedes-Benz X - 83.3% first-time pass, 1,803 tests
- 2020 Mercedes-Benz X - 85.8% first-time pass, 711 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
- BMW X3 - 82.3%
- Abarth 595 - 82.3%
- Mercedes-Benz V - 82.3%
- Peugeot Partner Professional Prem Bhdi - 82.3%
- Lexus Sc430 - 82.3%
- Peugeot 208 Allure Ev - 82.3%
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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