2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 84.1% of Mercedes-Benz GLCs first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 57,510 GLC first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, suspension and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz GLCs first used in 2018 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, GLCs first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the GLC figure was 3.2 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 GLC | All cars first used 2018 | GLC first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90.4% | 87.6% | 20,842 |
| 2022 | 90.4% | 86.3% | 20,084 |
| 2023 | 88.0% | 84.2% | 19,431 |
| 2024 | 85.7% | 82.5% | 19,165 |
| 2025 | 84.1% | 80.9% | 18,914 |
Common 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT failures
Share of the 8,095 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 22.0% | 1,781 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 12.3% | 998 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 12.3% | 992 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 10.0% | 808 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 8.5% | 688 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a GLC in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 GLCs, as a share of all 57,510 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 15.1% | 8,657 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.6% | 4,953 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 6.7% | 3,833 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 5.6% | 3,195 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 4.4% | 2,557 |
Questions about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC?
In 2025, 84.1% of GLCs first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 GLC most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 38.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (26.3%) and brakes (12.3%). The single most common item was “Ball joint: excessively worn” (22.0%).
How often does a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC fail its MOT?
In 2025, 15.9% of first tests on GLCs first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 14.0% failed, and a further 1.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 8,095 of 57,510 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 15.1% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.6%), “Ball joint: has slight play” (6.7%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.6%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (4.4%).
Is a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 90.4% in 2021 to 84.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
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