Large SUV · 1996–2021 cars
Mercedes-Benz G-Class reliability
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class fails 13.7% of first MOT tests, 39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 6,936 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mercedes-Benz G-Class before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 13.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 39% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 6,936
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mercedes-Benz G-Class ages
Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz G-Classs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mercedes-Benz G-Class | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 9.2% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 9.3% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 14% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 14.1% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 11.9% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 15.1% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 13.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 13.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 26.1% | 37.3% |
By year
The best and worst Mercedes-Benz G-Class years
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 415 | 7.2% | 50% fewer fails | 38,375 |
| 2018 G-Class | 1,202 | 8.7% | 40% fewer fails | 32,577 |
| 2017 | 951 | 14.7% | 11% fewer fails | 37,552 |
| 2016 | 853 | 11.7% | 43% fewer fails | 47,670 |
| 2015 | 758 | 14% | 34% fewer fails | 44,098 |
| 2014 | 486 | 16% | 32% fewer fails | 49,991 |
| 2013 | 558 | 12.2% | 57% fewer fails | 59,910 |
| 2012 | 465 | 16.1% | 50% fewer fails | 83,742 |
| 2011 | 326 | 23.3% | 31% fewer fails | 72,484 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Its weak spot is steering: 15% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics5.2%32% below avg
- Brakes2.8%42% below avg
- Tyres2.6%53% below avg
- Suspension2.1%65% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.6%20% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.5%62% below avg
- Steering1.4%15% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.9%203% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.6%72% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.01% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.84% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.84% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Position lamp not working 0.65% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Headlamp aim set too high 0.61% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too low 0.59% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 7
Number plate does not meet standards 0.53% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.5% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz G-Class's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit4.05%
- Brake disc pitted or scored3.45%
- Brake pads wearing thin3.24%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive2.44%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.12%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy1.37%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Mercedes-Benz G-Class covers about 6,900 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol61.3%
- Diesel38.4%
- Hybrid0.3%
Most common colours
Black, Silver, Grey, White, Blue
Average engine size: 4.2 litres.
Compare
How the Mercedes-Benz G-Class compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz GL-Class | 17.8% | 46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 13.7% | 39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS | 11.1% | 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz R-Class | 27.2% | 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Pajero | 32.5% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Terrano | 45.1% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Rexton | 35.6% | 36% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large suv ranked in the large suv reliability index, or all Mercedes-Benz models.
Questions
Mercedes-Benz G-Class questions, answered
Is the Mercedes-Benz G-Class reliable?
On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is better than average: it fails 13.7% of first MOT tests, 39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 10 of 30 large suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz G-Class MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class are coil spring fractured or broken (1.01% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (0.84% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (0.84% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 5.2% of its tests.
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz G-Class do a year?
A typical Mercedes-Benz G-Class covers about 6,900 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz G-Class before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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