2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class · 4,367 MOT tests
2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability
2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Classs fail 39.8% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 16 M-Class years (4,367 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz M-Classs: 27%)
- 39.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz M-Classs: 27%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 128,168
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,367
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 8.5% of tests fail here (88% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 51% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20.8%
- Brakes13.8%
- Suspension13.7%
- Steering8.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.7%
- Body, chassis and structure4.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.2%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 5.08%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 4.63%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Stop lamp not working 4.08%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.05%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.82%
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 (22.81%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (18.37%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (15%) · Brake pads wearing thin (8.75%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (7.88%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.37%)
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 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliable?
2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Classs fail 39.8% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 16 M-Class years (4,367 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (5.2% of tests), position lamp not working (5.08% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (4.63% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class shows 128,168 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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