Large SUV · 2013–2021 cars
Mercedes-Benz GLE reliability
The Mercedes-Benz GLE fails 10.6% of first MOT tests, 42% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 96,197 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mercedes-Benz GLE before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 10.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 42% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 96,197
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mercedes-Benz GLE ages
Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz GLEs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mercedes-Benz GLE | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9.3% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 9.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 10.9% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 11.9% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 11.5% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 10.9% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 10% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst Mercedes-Benz GLE years
2015 cars come out best and 2021 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 GLE | 3,273 | 9.6% | 27% fewer fails | 33,269 |
| 2020 GLE | 11,763 | 7.8% | 43% fewer fails | 36,024 |
| 2019 GLE | 11,611 | 9.2% | 36% fewer fails | 37,760 |
| 2018 GLE | 23,904 | 10.8% | 35% fewer fails | 45,569 |
| 2017 GLE | 18,472 | 11.8% | 38% fewer fails | 52,351 |
| 2016 GLE | 21,863 | 11.4% | 48% fewer fails | 60,110 |
| 2015 GLE | 5,239 | 11.3% | 55% fewer fails | 69,410 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz GLE
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.7%0% above avg
- Brakes1.4%59% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.1%78% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1%72% below avg
- Suspension0.9%70% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.7%47% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.6%36% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.6%125% above avg
- Wheels0.3%21% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.84% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.29% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.09% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.57% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.45% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 6
Brake pads worn to wear indicator 0.44% of tests
Pads worn to the indicator are at their limit, reducing braking and needing immediate replacement.
- 7
Diesel engine warning light faulty 0.35% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 8
Number plate does not meet standards 0.34% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz GLE's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit12.04%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.81%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2.03%
- Brake disc pitted or scored1.99%
- Brake discs showing some wear1.96%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.83%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz GLE
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
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.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 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 GLE covers about 9,400 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
- Diesel87.6%
- Petrol8.4%
- Hybrid4%
- Other0%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Black, Grey, White, Silver, Blue
Average engine size: 2.6 litres.
Compare
How the Mercedes-Benz GLE compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Porsche Cayenne | 13.8% | 52% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus RX | 19.2% | 43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE | 10.6% | 42% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz M-Class | 27% | 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Touareg | 22.5% | 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Land Rover Range Rover Velar | 13.7% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Shogun | 33.1% | 11% fewer 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 GLE questions, answered
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLE reliable?
On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is better than average: it fails 10.6% of first MOT tests, 42% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 7 of 30 large suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz GLE MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz GLE are tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.84% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.29% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.09% of tests). By area, tyres fails 5.7% of its tests.
Which Mercedes-Benz GLE year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (55% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz GLE do a year?
A typical Mercedes-Benz GLE covers about 9,400 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 GLE 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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