Pickup · 2017–2020 cars
Mercedes-Benz X-Class reliability
The Mercedes-Benz X-Class fails 17.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 14,714 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mercedes-Benz X-Class before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 17.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 14,714
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 12,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mercedes-Benz X-Class ages
Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz X-Classs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mercedes-Benz X-Class | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 17.6% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 17.5% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 16.3% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 17.2% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst Mercedes-Benz X-Class years
2019 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 X-Class | 1,767 | 14.4% | 3% fewer fails | 40,289 |
| 2019 X-Class | 6,344 | 16.1% | 3% fewer fails | 47,719 |
| 2018 X-Class | 5,886 | 19.1% | 3% more fails | 56,370 |
| 2017 | 717 | 16.6% | 18% fewer fails | 66,590 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 540% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes5.7%68% above avg
- Lights and electrics3.8%22% below avg
- Tyres3.3%41% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.3%158% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3%14% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.5%540% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.2%65% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.9%224% above avg
- Suspension0.6%73% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Diesel engine warning light faulty 1.96% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.87% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.45% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 1.4% of tests
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 5
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.32% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.16% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Tyre pressure monitoring system faulty 0.78% of tests
A faulty tyre pressure monitor cannot warn about low tyre pressure, so check tyres manually and have the fault diagnosed.
- 8
Parking brake inoperative on one side 0.77% of tests
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz X-Class's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit7.65%
- Brake pads wearing thin6%
- Brake disc pitted or scored3.04%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.45%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive1.51%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.14%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz X-Class
- 1
Diesel engine warning light faulty
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Airbag warning lamp shows fault
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 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 X-Class covers about 12,000 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
- Diesel100%
Most common colours
Black, White, Grey, Silver, Blue
Average engine size: 2.5 litres.
Compare
How the Mercedes-Benz X-Class compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Fiat Fullback | 17.5% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda B Series | 42% | about average for its age |
| Mercedes-Benz X-Class | 17.1% | about average for its age |
| Nissan Pickup | 44.2% | about average for its age |
| Isuzu Rodeo | 44.1% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Isuzu TF | 43.3% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Musso | 34.9% | 98% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every pickup ranked in the pickup reliability index, or all Mercedes-Benz models.
Questions
Mercedes-Benz X-Class questions, answered
Is the Mercedes-Benz X-Class reliable?
On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz X-Class is about average: it fails 17.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 4 of 13 pickup models in our index.
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz X-Class MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz X-Class are diesel engine warning light faulty (1.96% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.87% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.45% of tests). By area, brakes fails 5.7% of its tests.
Which Mercedes-Benz X-Class year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (3% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz X-Class do a year?
A typical Mercedes-Benz X-Class covers about 12,000 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 X-Class 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.
Found a Mercedes-Benz X-Class? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.