Sports car and convertible · 1997–2021 cars
Mercedes-Benz GT reliability
The Mercedes-Benz GT fails 5.8% of first MOT tests, 55% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,826 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mercedes-Benz GT before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 5.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 55% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 5,826
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 3,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mercedes-Benz GT ages
Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz GTs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mercedes-Benz GT | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5.4% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 7.5% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 4.6% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 5.1% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 9.2% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 4.1% | 25.5% |
By year
The best and worst Mercedes-Benz GT years
2016 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
Common problems
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz GT
Its weak spot is number plates and vin: 629% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres2.9%19% below avg
- Number plates and VIN1.2%629% above avg
- Lights and electrics0.8%72% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.5%27% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors0.4%88% below avg
- Suspension0.2%89% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.2%72% below avg
- Wheels0.2%36% above avg
- Brakes0.1%93% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.15% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 2
Number plate does not meet standards 0.62% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.58% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.57% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Headlamp aim set too high 0.26% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 6
Lambda reading outside specified limits 0.21% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.17% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 8
Horn not working 0.14% of tests
A non-working horn removes a key warning tool for other road users, so it must be repaired before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz GT's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit5.48%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking1.66%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.24%
- Nail in tyre, monitor0.89%
- Brake pads wearing thin0.79%
- Tyre has a shallow cut0.62%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz GT
- 1
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.
- 2
Number plate does not meet standards
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
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.
- 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 GT covers about 3,500 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
- Petrol100%
Most common colours
Grey, Black, Blue, White, Silver
Average engine size: 4.0 litres.
Compare
How the Mercedes-Benz GT compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lamborghini Huracan | 2.6% | 78% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ferrari 458 | 3.9% | 74% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DBS | 4.6% | 71% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| TVR Chimaera | 13.1% | 58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DB7 | 14.1% | 56% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GT | 5.8% | 55% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Smart Roadster | 28.9% | 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Mercedes-Benz models.
Questions
Mercedes-Benz GT questions, answered
Is the Mercedes-Benz GT reliable?
On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz GT is better than average: it fails 5.8% of first MOT tests, 55% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 19 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz GT MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz GT are tyre ply or cords exposed (1.15% of tests), number plate does not meet standards (0.62% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (0.58% of tests). By area, tyres fails 2.9% of its tests.
Which Mercedes-Benz GT year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (66% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz GT do a year?
A typical Mercedes-Benz GT covers about 3,500 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 GT 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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