2008 Mercedes-Benz Gl — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz Gl passed 83.4% of its 1,201 recorded MOT tests. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 22.7% of the time, so this is 6.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.8%) and brakes (8.5%) 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 flexible brake hoses — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 66 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 18.1% versus 12.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 106 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.5% | 102 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.1% | 49 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.8% | 34 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.7% | 32 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.5% | 30 |
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 | 66 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 46 |
| 3 | Flexible brake hoses | 30 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 25 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 24 |
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 | 36.2% | 435 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.1% | 290 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.4% | 245 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.9% | 179 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.8% | 94 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 92 |
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 | 64 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 158 | 13.3% |
| 90-120k | 361 | 14.7% |
| 120-150k | 351 | 20.2% |
| 150k+ | 254 | 18.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,161 | 16.9% |
| Petrol | 40 | 10.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 288 | 15.6% |
| 2022 | 276 | 16.3% |
| 2023 | 240 | 16.7% |
| 2024 | 212 | 18.9% |
| 2025 | 185 | 16.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Gl
On a 2008 Gl, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.5% 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 (4.1% 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz Gls pass their MOT?
83.4% of the 1,201 2008 Mercedes-Benz Gl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Gl?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.8% of tests, followed by brakes (8.5%).
Does the 2008 Gl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.5% in the 30-60k band to 18.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,201 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.