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Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 168,682 MOT tests of cars first registered 2015–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
87.9%pass first time
+6.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 94%of cars
168,682MOT tests

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class passes its MOT first time on 87.9% of tests, 6.1 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (81.8%). That puts it ahead of 94% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2016 GLE-Class does best (beats 98% of cars) and the 2018 worst (beats 92%).

Of its engines, the 3.0 Diesel does best (beats 98%) and the 2.9 Diesel worst (beats 74%).

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

Watch these weak spots

Number plates2.4×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%34567891089%89%88%88%87%86%86%86%
Mercedes-Benz GLE-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 99%
2016
Beats 98%
2017
Beats 95%
2018
Beats 92%
2019
Beats 91%
2020
Beats 85%
2021
Beats 68%
2022
Beats 61%
2023
Beats 61%

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 Diesel2015–201858,71086.7%Beats 94%A
3.0 Diesel2015–201951,96688.8%Beats 98%A
2.9 Diesel2019–202323,02087.6%Beats 74%B
2.0 Diesel2019–202119,25489.0%Beats 90%A
3.0 Petrol2016–20197,80089.5%Beats 97%A
2.0 Diesel hybrid2020–20226,34387.6%Beats 79%B
3.0 Hybrid2020–20201,58986.1%Beats 49%C

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: 0.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% 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: 1.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.9% 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: 1.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.8% 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: 6.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.0% 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 3.5% 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: 1.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.8% 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+3.6 ptsTyres: 6.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.0% 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−0.6 ptsBrakes: 1.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.5% 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+1.9 ptsSuspension: 1.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.9% 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+1.8 ptsExhaust: 0.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% 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+0.5 ptsSuspension: 1.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.9% 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 3.5% 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: 6.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.0% 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: 1.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.8% 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: 0.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% 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: 1.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.8% 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+3.6 ptsTyres: 6.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.0% 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−0.6 ptsBrakes: 1.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.5% 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+1.9 ptsSuspension: 1.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.9% 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+1.8 ptsExhaust: 0.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% 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+0.5 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 6.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.0% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Tyres
6.6% vs 6.0%
Brakes
1.6% vs 3.5%
Lights & electrics
1.3% vs 4.8%
Suspension
1.1% vs 2.9%
Visibility
1.1% vs 3.5%
Emissions & leaks
0.8% vs 1.3%
Body & structure
0.6% vs 0.9%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.3%
Seat belts & airbags
0.3% vs 0.4%
Steering
0.0% vs 0.6%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • 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.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • 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.
  • Coil springs
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k94%90%88%86%85%85%83%
Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking3.9%3.5%1.1×
Tyre tread depth2.8%2.2%1.3×
Brake pads1.3%2.0%0.6×
Headlight aim0.9%1.8%0.5×
Engine warning light0.7%0.9%0.8×
Coil springs0.6%0.9%0.7×
Windscreen washers0.6%1.4%0.4×
Number plates0.6%0.2%2.4×
Drive shaft (CV) joints0.4%0.4%1.0×
Windscreen wipers0.4%2.1%0.2×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements28.2
A tyre seriously damaged23.4
A tyre cords visible or damaged16.0
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements9.0
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm7.4
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction7.2
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened6.2
Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator6.1
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.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class1 engine87.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.9 Diesel1,18687.4%Beats 61%B
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class2 engines87.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.9 Diesel3,73887.4%Beats 61%B
2.0 Diesel hybrid2,16986.3%Beats 62%B
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class3 engines87.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.9 Diesel6,47287.1%Beats 66%B
2.0 Diesel3,51188.3%Beats 76%B
2.0 Diesel hybrid2,70586.5%Beats 67%B
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class4 engines88.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel8,89389.2%Beats 90%A
2.9 Diesel6,71887.8%Beats 76%B
3.0 Hybrid1,58986.1%Beats 49%C
2.0 Diesel hybrid1,46991.4%Beats 99%A
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class4 engines88.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel6,85089.1%Beats 94%A
2.9 Diesel4,90688.4%Beats 90%A
3.0 Diesel1,98586.4%Beats 76%B
3.0 Petrol1,63389.0%Beats 88%A
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class3 engines87.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel19,54886.8%Beats 87%A
3.0 Diesel12,43688.8%Beats 96%A
3.0 Petrol1,97490.5%Beats 98%A
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class3 engines87.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel14,08786.0%Beats 88%A
3.0 Diesel13,24488.8%Beats 97%A
3.0 Petrol2,51689.7%Beats 98%A
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class3 engines88.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel20,00687.1%Beats 97%A
3.0 Diesel19,27688.9%Beats 99%A
3.0 Petrol1,67788.4%Beats 97%A
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class2 engines87.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel5,06986.7%Beats 98%A
3.0 Diesel5,02588.7%Beats 99%A

FAQ

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

87.9% of MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class were passed first time, based on 168,682 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2015–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 81.8% of the time.

Is the Mercedes-Benz GLE-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 94% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2016 GLE-Class does best for its age and mileage: it beats 98% of cars on UK roads. The 2018 does worst: it beats 92%.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class engine is best?

Across all years, the 3.0 Diesel does best: it beats 98% of cars on UK roads. The 2.9 Diesel does worst: it beats 74%.

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

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, brake pads. Compared with similar cars, number plates comes up 2.4× 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.