2011 Mercedes-Benz Gl — MOT failures & pass rate
1,653 MOT tests on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Gl are in this dataset, and 84.5% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 19.2% of the time, so this is 3.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (6.5%) and lighting & signalling (6.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, tread depth and position lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 73 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2011 Gl fails 14.0% of the time in the 30-60k band and 16.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.1 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 27.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 6.5% | 107 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 106 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.5% | 74 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.6% | 43 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 32 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.5% | 24 |
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 | 73 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 59 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 37 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 29 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 22 |
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 | 27.4% | 453 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.4% | 371 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 12.6% | 209 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.2% | 169 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.7% | 127 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 70 |
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 | 107 | 14.0% |
| 60-90k | 378 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 542 | 16.2% |
| 120-150k | 388 | 16.2% |
| 150k+ | 223 | 16.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,586 | 15.6% |
| Petrol | 67 | 14.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 353 | 14.2% |
| 2022 | 357 | 17.4% |
| 2023 | 328 | 15.8% |
| 2024 | 317 | 15.1% |
| 2025 | 298 | 15.1% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Gl
On a 2011 Gl, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (6.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 Gls pass their MOT?
84.5% of the 1,653 2011 Mercedes-Benz Gl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz Gl?
Brakes, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.4%).
Does the 2011 Gl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.0% in the 30-60k band to 16.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,653 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.