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Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 441,500 MOT tests of cars first registered 2015–2022.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
87.6%pass first time
+5.0 ptsvs typical car
Beats 90%of cars
441,500MOT tests

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class passes its MOT first time on 87.6% of tests, 5.0 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (82.6%). That puts it ahead of 90% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2016 GLC-Class does best (beats 94% of cars) and the 2018 worst (beats 85%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Diesel does best (beats 93%) and the 2.0 Petrol worst (beats 88%).

Better than average on brakes, visibility, lights & electrics.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension ball joints5.5×as often as a typical car
Drive shaft (CV) joints1.6×as often as a typical car
Number plates1.7×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

60%70%80%90%100%34567891091%90%89%86%85%84%83%82%
Mercedes-Benz GLC-ClassTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2015
Beats 94%
2016
Beats 94%
2017
Beats 89%
2018
Beats 85%
2019
Beats 88%
2020
Beats 92%
2021
Beats 92%
2022
Beats 95%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2015–2019263,60186.2%Beats 89%A
2.0 Diesel2019–202276,88889.9%Beats 93%A
2.0 Petrol2018–201942,95189.1%Beats 88%A
2.0 Hybrid2019–202219,35291.4%Beats 94%A
3.0 Petrol2016–202115,63189.6%Beats 95%A
3.0 Diesel2017–201814,94587.8%Beats 93%A
2.0 Diesel hybrid2020–20214,74890.3%Beats 95%A
4.0 Petrol2018–20193,38490.2%Beats 94%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 3.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 1.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 1.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 1.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.4 ptsTyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.7 ptsBrakes: 1.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.7 ptsSuspension: 3.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.5 ptsExhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.1 ptsSuspension: 3.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 1.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 1.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 1.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.4 ptsTyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.7 ptsBrakes: 1.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.7 ptsSuspension: 3.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.5 ptsExhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 3.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Tyres
5.0% vs 5.7%
Suspension
3.1% vs 2.6%
Brakes
1.6% vs 3.3%
Visibility
1.3% vs 3.4%
Lights & electrics
1.2% vs 4.5%
Emissions & leaks
1.1% vs 1.2%
Body & structure
0.8% vs 0.8%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.4%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.2%
Steering
0.0% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Suspension ball joints 5.5× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Engine warning light
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k96%91%88%84%82%80%79%
Mercedes-Benz GLC-ClassTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking3.3%3.4%1.0×
Suspension ball joints2.4%0.4%5.5×
Tyre tread depth1.7%2.0%0.8×
Brake pads1.3%1.9%0.7×
Engine warning light1.1%0.8%1.3×
Headlight aim0.9%1.8%0.5×
Windscreen washers0.7%1.3%0.5×
Drive shaft (CV) joints0.6%0.4%1.6×
Coil springs0.5%0.8%0.6×
Windscreen wipers0.5%2.0%0.2×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn24.7
A tyre seriously damaged20.1
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements16.7
A tyre cords visible or damaged12.4
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction11.1
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements8.9
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm7.8
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen7.0
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class2 engines91.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel8,07891.9%Beats 96%A
2.0 Hybrid3,48291.8%Beats 94%A
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class4 engines90.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel11,25390.4%Beats 92%A
2.0 Hybrid3,28991.2%Beats 92%A
2.0 Diesel hybrid2,92690.2%Beats 93%A
3.0 Petrol1,07291.6%Beats 94%A
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class4 engines90.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel28,84889.6%Beats 91%A
2.0 Hybrid9,82191.6%Beats 95%A
3.0 Petrol1,89790.2%Beats 89%A
2.0 Diesel hybrid1,82290.6%Beats 97%A
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class6 engines88.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel28,70989.5%Beats 94%A
2.1 Diesel25,40086.8%Beats 79%B
2.0 Petrol22,47289.2%Beats 88%A
3.0 Petrol3,09490.6%Beats 96%A
2.0 Hybrid2,76090.1%Beats 90%A
4.0 Petrol1,43789.1%Beats 84%A
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class5 engines87.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel80,84286.4%Beats 82%A
2.0 Petrol20,47988.9%Beats 89%A
3.0 Diesel6,09888.5%Beats 94%A
3.0 Petrol4,21289.4%Beats 94%A
4.0 Petrol1,94790.9%Beats 97%A
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class3 engines86.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel73,99686.2%Beats 89%A
3.0 Diesel8,84787.3%Beats 92%A
3.0 Petrol4,00488.3%Beats 94%A
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class2 engines86.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel71,78386.0%Beats 94%A
3.0 Petrol1,35288.8%Beats 98%A
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class1 engine85.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel11,58085.1%Beats 94%A

FAQ

What is the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class MOT pass rate?

87.6% of MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class were passed first time, based on 441,500 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2015–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 82.6% of the time.

Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 90% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2016 GLC-Class does best for its age and mileage: it beats 94% of cars on UK roads. The 2018 does worst: it beats 85%.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Diesel does best: it beats 93% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 88%.

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

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, suspension ball joints, tyre tread depth. Compared with similar cars, suspension ball joints comes up 5.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.