2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class · 2,220 MOT tests
2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability
2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Classs fail 39.7% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 13 of 16 M-Class years (2,220 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz M-Classs: 27%)
- 39.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz M-Classs: 27%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- 133,591
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,220
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2001 against the years either side
- 2000 cars: 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2001 car does better)
- 2002 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2001 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 7.7% of tests fail here (52% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 51% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2001 car carries a 51 plate (September–December 2001).
Common problems
What fails on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.4%
- Brakes13.5%
- Suspension13.5%
- Steering7.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7%
- Body, chassis and structure5.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.46%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 3.87%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.74%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Stop lamp not working 3.2%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 3.06%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.66%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (26.26%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (19.01%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (11.71%) · Brake pads wearing thin (10.68%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.5%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (8.33%)
Other years
Every Mercedes-Benz M-Class year
The full picture: Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability. Before you pay for any Mercedes-Benz M-Class, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliable?
2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Classs fail 39.7% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 13 of 16 M-Class years (2,220 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (4.46% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (3.87% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.74% of tests).
How many miles should a 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class have done?
At its MOT aged about 21, a typical 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class shows 133,591 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2001 car?
A car first registered in 2001 carries a 51 plate (September–December 2001).
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