2014 Mercedes-Benz G-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
685 MOT tests on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz G-Class are in this dataset, and 87.6% of them passed. That is 2.7 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 15.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.3%) and brakes (3.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, individual direction indicators and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 23 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.1% in the 0-30k band and 13.5% in the 90-120k band, a 4.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 14.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 43 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.6% | 25 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 21 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.2% | 15 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.0% | 14 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.9% | 13 |
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 | 23 |
| 2 | Individual direction indicators | 16 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 14 |
| 4 | Wipers | 14 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 14 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 11 |
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 | 14.6% | 100 |
| 2 | Tyres | 10.9% | 75 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 50 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.8% | 33 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.5% | 24 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.2% | 22 |
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 | 132 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 330 | 13.0% |
| 60-90k | 177 | 12.4% |
| 90-120k | 37 | 13.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 357 | 9.8% |
| Diesel | 328 | 15.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 141 | 13.5% |
| 2022 | 132 | 9.1% |
| 2023 | 136 | 12.5% |
| 2024 | 134 | 12.7% |
| 2025 | 142 | 14.1% |
What to check before buying a 2014 G-Class
On a 2014 G-Class, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.6% 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 (3.1% 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 2014 Mercedes-Benz G-Classs pass their MOT?
87.6% of the 685 2014 Mercedes-Benz G-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Mercedes-Benz G-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by brakes (3.6%).
Does the 2014 G-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 13.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 685 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.