2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class · 3,932 MOT tests
2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability
2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Classs fail 38.4% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 16 M-Class years (3,932 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz M-Classs: 27%)
- 38.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz M-Classs: 27%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 130,372
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,932
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- 2003 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 8.6% of tests fail here (70% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 39% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22%
- Brakes13.5%
- Suspension11.6%
- Steering8.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.8%
- Body, chassis and structure6.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 4.02%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Position lamp not working 3.94%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.66%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Stop lamp not working 3.59%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.51%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.31%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (24.34%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (20.6%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.55%) · Brake pads wearing thin (10.43%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (9.16%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (8.65%)
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 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliable?
2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Classs fail 38.4% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 16 M-Class years (3,932 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class MOT?
Most often track rod end ball joint excessively worn (4.02% of tests), position lamp not working (3.94% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (3.66% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class shows 130,372 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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