2003 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 59.8% of Mercedes-Benz MLs first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. Across 2,952 ML first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz MLs first used in 2003 (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

Passed first time, 2025
59.8%
of 751 first tests; all cars first used in 2003: 58.7%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,952
first tests, 2023–2025; 751 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
16.4%
of 751 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
129,000
middle half: 103,500–156,500 miles; all cars first used in 2003: 103,000

How the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, MLs first used in 2003 against all cars first used in 2003 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the ML figure was in line with the all-cars figure.

2003 MLAll cars first used in 2003
50%60%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2003, test year 2021: 54%All cars first used in 2003, test year 2022: 55.7%All cars first used in 2003, test year 2023: 56.7%All cars first used in 2003, test year 2024: 57.2%All cars first used in 2003, test year 2025: 58.7%2003 ML, test year 2021: 53.1%2003 ML, test year 2022: 58.7%2003 ML, test year 2023: 56.2%2003 ML, test year 2024: 58.8%2003 ML, test year 2025: 59.8%59.8%58.7%
View this chart as a table
Test year2003 MLAll cars first used 2003ML first tests
202153.1%54.0%2,074
202258.7%55.7%1,612
202356.2%56.7%1,264
202458.8%57.2%937
202559.8%58.7%751

Common 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT failures

Share of the 1,241 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%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment58.7%
Suspension37.0%
Brakes33.7%
Steering23.4%
Body, chassis, structure17.6%
Visibility16.5%
Noise, emissions and leaks11.8%
Tyres11.1%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Coil spring: fractured or broken13.9%173
Position lamp: not working13.8%171
Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play13.1%162
Stop lamp: not working11.2%139
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect10.2%126

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

Typical repair costs for common MOT failures

Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an ML in particular, and not a quote.

Failure itemTypical jobTypical UK priceUsual range
Coil spring: fractured or brokenCoil spring replacement£248£175–£400

From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.

What to check on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2003 MLs, as a share of all 2,952 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive29.3%864
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material22.3%658
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge14.9%439
Brake pads: wearing thin12.6%372
Ball joint: has slight play11.5%339

Questions about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML?

In 2025, 59.8% of MLs first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2003 ML most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 58.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (37.0%) and brakes (33.7%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (13.9%).

How often does a 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML fail its MOT?

In 2025, 40.2% of first tests on MLs first used in 2003 did not pass first time: 34.2% failed, and a further 6.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,241 of 2,952 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT advisories?

“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 29.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (22.3%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (14.9%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (12.6%) and “Ball joint: has slight play” (11.5%).

Is a 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML 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 53.1% in 2021 to 59.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2003

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2003 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2003 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2003 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics

How the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2003 ML” means a Mercedes-Benz ML whose date of first use falls in 2003 (52, 03 and 53 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2003, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Repair prices are typical UK prices for the job from published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026 — not for this model, and not a quote. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.