2005 · 19 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2005 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT pass rate and common faults

964 MOT tests in 2024. 59.1% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time59.1%
Failed or needed repairs40.9%
Typical mileage at test129,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 964 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.5%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.5%
  3. Position lamp: not working3.9%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.3%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.0%
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.9%
  7. Pre 01/07/2008 Turbo: emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit2.8%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
    37 marked dangerous
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%
  10. Anti-roll bars - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics33.9%
  2. Brakes22.5%
  3. Suspension17.7%
  4. Steering9.4%
  5. Emissions & leaks7.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.7%
  7. Body & chassis5.2%
  8. Tyres5.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine27.6%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.0%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.5%
  5. Anti-roll bars - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.2%

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 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML?

In 2024, 59.1% of 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML cars passed their MOT first time, across 964 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).