2007 Mercedes-Benz Gl — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,639 MOT tests, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz Gl recorded an 81.8% pass rate. That is 5.4 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 23.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.9%) and brakes (8.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, position lamp and tread depth — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 88 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 20.2% once past 150k — 2.2× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 35.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.6% in 2021 to 14.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 146 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.6% | 141 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.1% | 83 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.4% | 72 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 41 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.1% | 35 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 88 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 62 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 48 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 40 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 38 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 29 |
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 | 35.6% | 583 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.3% | 399 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.3% | 349 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.5% | 319 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 188 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 127 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 43 | 9.3% |
| 60-90k | 195 | 14.9% |
| 90-120k | 448 | 17.2% |
| 120-150k | 570 | 18.9% |
| 150k+ | 371 | 20.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,483 | 18.5% |
| Petrol | 156 | 14.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 413 | 20.6% |
| 2022 | 381 | 19.2% |
| 2023 | 336 | 17.6% |
| 2024 | 286 | 16.8% |
| 2025 | 223 | 14.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Gl
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.6% 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.
- Suspension (5.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2007 Mercedes-Benz Gls pass their MOT?
81.8% of the 1,639 2007 Mercedes-Benz Gl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz Gl?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by brakes (8.6%).
Does the 2007 Gl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 30-60k band to 20.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,639 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.