2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT pass rate and common faults

923 MOT tests in 2024. 58.6% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time58.6%
Failed or needed repairs41.4%
Typical mileage at test129,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 923 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.6%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.9%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.6%
  4. Position lamp: not working4.1%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.8%
    55 marked dangerous
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.3%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.0%
  8. Stop lamp: not working2.8%
  9. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.8%
  10. Side repeaters: not working2.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics40.4%
  2. Brakes22.4%
  3. Suspension19.7%
  4. Steering10.6%
  5. Body & chassis9.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.6%
  7. Tyres5.1%
  8. Emissions & leaks4.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine28.7%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded23.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick13.2%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.2%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML?

In 2024, 58.6% of 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML cars passed their MOT first time, across 923 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).