2021 · 3 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT pass rate and common faults

6,745 MOT tests in 2024. 91.1% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time91.1%
Failed or needed repairs8.9%
Typical mileage at test28,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 6,745 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
    163 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
    122 marked dangerous
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.5%
    58 marked dangerous
  5. Brake pads: worn down to wear indicator0.5%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.3%
  7. Headlamp aim: too low0.3%
  8. Headlamp aim: too high0.2%
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.2%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.2%
    17 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Tyres6.3%
  2. Brakes1.2%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.1%
  4. Lights & electrics1.1%
  5. Number plates & VIN0.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks0.2%
  7. Suspension0.2%
  8. Wheels0.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.8%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.6%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure3.1%
  4. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre2.4%
  5. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm2.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 GLCAll GLC years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC?

In 2024, 91.1% of 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC cars passed their MOT first time, across 6,745 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).