2011 Mercedes-Benz G-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
521 MOT tests on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz G-Class are in this dataset, and 84.8% of them passed. That is 4.1 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 19.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.5%) and brakes (4.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, malfunction indicator lamp and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 25 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.1% in the 0-30k band and 10.5% in the 120-150k band, a 4.4-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 20.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 16.7% in 2021 to 8.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 39 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.8% | 25 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 19 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 13 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.3% | 12 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.1% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 25 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 16 |
| 3 | Wipers | 15 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 15 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 14 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 20.5% | 107 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.9% | 57 |
| 3 | Tyres | 10.2% | 53 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 47 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 41 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.1% | 37 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 49 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 161 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 170 | 15.9% |
| 90-120k | 91 | 19.8% |
| 120-150k | 38 | 10.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 391 | 15.1% |
| Petrol | 130 | 15.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 108 | 16.7% |
| 2022 | 108 | 21.3% |
| 2023 | 103 | 13.6% |
| 2024 | 103 | 15.5% |
| 2025 | 99 | 8.1% |
What to check before buying a 2011 G-Class
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Emissions & environmental (3.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2011 Mercedes-Benz G-Classs pass their MOT?
84.8% of the 521 2011 Mercedes-Benz G-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz G-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.5% of tests, followed by brakes (4.8%).
Does the 2011 G-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 10.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 521 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.