2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class · 5,768 MOT tests
2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability
2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Classs fail 42.3% of first MOT tests, 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 16 M-Class years (5,768 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz M-Classs: 27%)
- 42.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz M-Classs: 27%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 7% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 129,571
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 5,768
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- 2005 cars: 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 11.2% of tests fail here (129% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 39% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.8%
- Suspension16%
- Brakes13.6%
- Steering11.2%
- Body, chassis and structure6.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 6.03%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.5%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 5.29%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 4.98%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.57%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.42%
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 (25.83%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (20.32%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.4%) · Brake pads wearing thin (11.77%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (9.97%) · Anti-roll bar pin/bush showing wear (9.36%)
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 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliable?
2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Classs fail 42.3% of first MOT tests, 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 16 M-Class years (5,768 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class MOT?
Most often track rod end ball joint excessively worn (6.03% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (5.5% of tests), position lamp not working (5.29% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class shows 129,571 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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