2009 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 67.0% of Mercedes-Benz MLs first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. Across 6,135 ML first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and suspension.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz MLs first used in 2009 (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
67.0%
of 1,789 first tests; all cars first used in 2009: 58.3%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
6,135
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,789 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
23.9%
of 1,789 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
124,000
middle half: 103,000–146,000 miles; all cars first used in 2009: 100,000

How the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, MLs first used in 2009 against all cars first used in 2009 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the ML figure was 8.7 points higher.

2009 MLAll cars first used in 2009
50%60%70%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2009, test year 2021: 60.5%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2022: 60.1%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2023: 59%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2024: 58.4%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2025: 58.3%2009 ML, test year 2021: 67.2%2009 ML, test year 2022: 66.8%2009 ML, test year 2023: 67.8%2009 ML, test year 2024: 65.8%2009 ML, test year 2025: 67%67%58.3%
View this chart as a table
Test year2009 MLAll cars first used 2009ML first tests
202167.2%60.5%2,542
202266.8%60.1%2,482
202367.8%59.0%2,301
202465.8%58.4%2,045
202567.0%58.3%1,789

Common 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT failures

Share of the 2,030 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 equipment57.2%
Brakes34.7%
Suspension21.4%
Tyres17.3%
Noise, emissions and leaks13.1%
Body, chassis, structure10.1%
Visibility8.3%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems4.4%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Coil spring: fractured or broken16.2%328
Side repeaters: not working15.3%311
Stop lamp: not working15.0%305
Position lamp: not working13.8%281
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded7.5%152

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 2009 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. 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.
  3. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.

Common 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2009 MLs, as a share of all 6,135 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive23.0%1,411
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge20.0%1,228
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material17.8%1,095
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.0%367
Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.9%360

Questions about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML?

In 2025, 67.0% of MLs first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2009 ML most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 57.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (34.7%) and suspension (21.4%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (16.2%).

How often does a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML fail its MOT?

In 2025, 33.0% of first tests on MLs first used in 2009 did not pass first time: 26.2% failed, and a further 6.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,030 of 6,135 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML MOT advisories?

“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 23.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (20.0%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (17.8%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (6.0%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (5.9%).

Is a 2009 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 67.2% in 2021 to 67.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2009

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

2009 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2009 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2009 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2009 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. “2009 ML” means a Mercedes-Benz ML whose date of first use falls in 2009 (58, 09 and 59 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 2009, 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.