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Mercedes-Benz reliability and common MOT problems by model

Mercedes-Benz shows a 17.1% combined MOT failure rate across 2,207,082 tests in Motintel data. Gle has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 9.1%. Clk deserves extra checking at 25.3%.

Data sources: DVSA MOT records, official recall records, and MOT fault wording snapshots (2026-04-27, 2026-04-29, rfr_codes_2025-05-12, failure items 2023). Search-indexed model pages must clear 20,000 MOT tests and 10,000 vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz combined failure rate: 17.1% — all-model average is 18.7%. Ranked #22 of 48 makes by failure rate (1 = lowest).

Which Mercedes-Benz models look strongest?

Gle (9.1%), Glc (9.4%), Gla (10.7%), Sl (12.9%), S Class (12.9%)

Which Mercedes-Benz models need extra caution?

Clk (25.3%), Citan (22.1%), Vito (21.5%), Sprinter (21.2%), Slk (19.5%)

Most reliable Mercedes-Benz models in MOT data

#ModelMOT failure rateTestsVehicles
1 Mercedes-Benz Gle 9.1% 28,571 tests 24,922 vehicles
2 Mercedes-Benz Glc 9.4% 69,329 tests 60,180 vehicles
3 Mercedes-Benz Gla 10.7% 73,136 tests 62,239 vehicles
4 Mercedes-Benz Sl 12.9% 24,773 tests 20,910 vehicles
5 Mercedes-Benz S Class 12.9% 31,448 tests 25,171 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz models with the highest MOT failure rates

#ModelMOT failure rateTestsVehicles
1 Mercedes-Benz Clk 25.3% 41,597 tests 30,571 vehicles
2 Mercedes-Benz Citan 22.1% 23,769 tests 17,794 vehicles
3 Mercedes-Benz Vito 21.5% 117,165 tests 84,471 vehicles
4 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 21.2% 257,129 tests 197,657 vehicles
5 Mercedes-Benz Slk 19.5% 71,871 tests 56,621 vehicles

Common Mercedes-Benz MOT problem areas

#Problem areaMOT notesModels affectedWhat to checkHigh-rate examples
1 Corrosion and structure 269,785 MOT notes 15 models Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs. Mercedes-Benz Clk, Mercedes-Benz Slk, Mercedes-Benz Ml
2 Suspension and steering 222,540 MOT notes 15 models Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Clk, Mercedes-Benz Cls
3 Lights and electrical 131,067 MOT notes 15 models Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying. Mercedes-Benz Clk, Mercedes-Benz Citan, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
4 Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors 101,535 MOT notes 15 models Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Citan, Mercedes-Benz Vito
5 Emissions, engine, and exhaust 81,674 MOT notes 15 models Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs. Mercedes-Benz Ml, Mercedes-Benz Clk, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
6 Tyres and wheels 25,774 MOT notes 15 models Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear. Mercedes-Benz Gle, Mercedes-Benz Citan, Mercedes-Benz Gla

All Mercedes-Benz model reports

Model MOT tests Vehicles Failure rate
C limited data 461,757 362,406 17.9%
A Class 293,174 242,430 16.5%
E limited data 285,335 220,258 16.6%
Sprinter 257,129 197,657 21.2%
Vito 117,165 84,471 21.5%
A limited data 81,860 70,964 9.0%
B Class 80,952 63,462 19.3%
Gla 73,136 62,239 10.7%
Slk 71,871 56,621 19.5%
Glc 69,329 60,180 9.4%
Cla 59,567 49,693 14.1%
Ml 43,272 33,763 19.4%
Clk 41,597 30,571 25.3%
S Class 31,448 25,171 12.9%
Cls 30,251 23,960 18.3%
Gle 28,571 24,922 9.1%
Sl 24,773 20,910 12.9%
Citan 23,769 17,794 22.1%
V limited data 12,403 8,663 13.5%
Clc limited data 12,399 8,692 28.8%
Slc limited data 9,258 8,054 10.2%
Viano limited data 7,306 5,428 22.4%
B limited data 7,116 6,257 6.9%
Glc 300 Amg Line Prem D 4m A limited data 6,164 5,490 6.7%
X limited data 4,595 3,776 14.5%
Gla 200 Amg Line Edition A limited data 4,560 4,038 5.3%
Gla 180 Amg Line Edition Auto limited data 4,295 3,755 6.5%
Sprinter 315 Progressive Cdi limited data 3,833 3,133 17.6%
Gl limited data 3,808 3,208 14.1%
Unclassified limited data 3,600 2,944 17.5%
300 limited data 3,384 2,805 17.6%
R Class limited data 2,955 2,300 19.6%
A 200 limited data 2,776 2,121 20.8%
A 250 Amg Line E Auto limited data 2,703 2,376 9.6%
190 E limited data 2,583 2,066 19.6%
Gls limited data 2,252 1,979 9.2%
Cl 500 limited data 2,209 1,812 17.2%
Sprinter 314 Progressive Cdi limited data 2,167 1,762 18.6%
Glb 220 Amg Line Prem D 4m A limited data 2,118 1,892 7.8%
A 250 Amg Line Premium E Auto limited data 1,971 1,797 7.4%
E 220 Amg Lne Ngt Ed Prm D A limited data 1,940 1,421 14.3%
C 320 limited data 1,867 1,397 25.1%
Eqc 400 Amg Line 4matic limited data 1,759 1,563 9.1%
Cla 220 Amg Line Premium D A limited data 1,707 1,462 9.7%
Cl limited data 1,683 1,374 16.9%
G Class limited data 1,574 1,313 11.9%
Citan 109 Pure Cdi limited data 1,572 1,257 18.7%
Glc 300 Amg Line 4matic Auto limited data 1,535 1,403 4.9%
Gt limited data 1,403 1,251 6.3%
A 250 Amg Line Executive E A limited data 1,395 1,257 7.6%
Eqc 400 Amg Line Premium 4m limited data 1,358 1,143 13.6%
E 220 Amg Line Ed Prem D A limited data 1,213 956 8.5%
500 limited data 1,212 1,032 14.9%
280 limited data 1,153 985 15.9%
230 limited data 1,109 882 21.7%
E 220 Amg Line Edition D Auto limited data 1,076 807 9.7%
220 limited data 1,046 788 21.2%
A 250 Amg Line Premium E A limited data 1,042 935 8.5%
G limited data 1,014 909 6.8%
Esprinter Progressive limited data 1,013 753 25.8%

Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.