Mercedes-Benz Gle MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 26,530 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz Gle carried out in 2023. 12% failed at the first attempt, which is well below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 9 in 10 Gles passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2015 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2015 models did best (88% passed, +12.4 points against the average for 8-year-old cars), while 2020 models fared worst (89%, +1.3 points). Tested cars had covered 46,794 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was tyres, found on 6.5% of tests (roughly in line with the 6.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 2.6% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 26,530
- First-time pass rate
- 88%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +16.9 points
- Average mileage at test
- 46,794
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Gle?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Gle MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 309 | 92% | 91% | +1.4 points | 27,587 |
| 2020 | 5,094 | 89% | 88% | +1.3 points | 29,660 |
| 2019 | 3,581 | 89% | 86% | +2.8 points | 35,945 |
| 2018 | 6,079 | 89% | 84% | +4.3 points | 45,905 |
| 2017 | 4,616 | 87% | 82% | +5.3 points | 53,160 |
| 2016 | 5,534 | 88% | 79% | +9.4 points | 61,058 |
| 2015 | 1,297 | 88% | 75% | +12.4 points | 69,208 |
Why the Mercedes-Benz Gle fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Gle | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.5% | 6.3% |
| Brakes | 1.5% | 6.8% |
| Lights and electrics | 1.3% | 11.3% |
| Visibility | 1.1% | 4.8% |
| Suspension | 0.8% | 8.9% |
| Body and structure | 0.7% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.6% | 3.1% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Road Wheels | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.3% | 1.0% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
- 2has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.9%
- 3has ply or cords exposed1.5%
- 4less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%
- 5worn down to wear indicator0.6%
- 6inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.6%
- 7fractured or broken0.5%
- 8does not conform to the specified requirements0.5%
- 9too high0.5%
- 10constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.5%
Common Gle MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Gle, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 16.7% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 6.6% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 3.0% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 2.7% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 2.6% |
| Nail in tyre | Non-component advisories | 2.6% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 2.5% |
| has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 2.1% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 1.8% |
| has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 0.8% |
Tips to help your Gle pass
Based on where Gles most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Brakes · 1.5% of Gle tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Lights and electrics · 1.3% of Gle tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Visibility · 1.1% of Gle tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Compare with other models
Is the Gle ULEZ compliant? See the Mercedes-Benz Gle ULEZ check, or view all Mercedes-Benz models.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 26,530 first MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz Gle carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 26,530 first MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz Gle.
What is the Mercedes-Benz Gle MOT failure rate?
In our data, 12% of 26,530 first MOT attempts on the Mercedes-Benz Gle ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Mercedes-Benz Gle fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were tyres (6.5% of tests), brakes (1.5% of tests), lights and electrics (1.3% of tests).
Which Gle year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2015 cars performed best: 88% passed first time, +12.4 points against the average for 8-year-old cars. The weakest was 2020, at 89% (+1.3 points).
How many miles had a typical Mercedes-Benz Gle covered at its MOT?
The average was 46,794 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 27,587 miles and 2015 cars 69,208.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Mercedes-Benz Gle?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 16.7% of tests, in the tyres area. 6.5% of Gles failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Gle's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 26,530 Gles in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 87% to 92% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
Check any Gle's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.