2013 Mercedes-Benz Gl — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,859 MOT tests, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Gl recorded an 87.8% pass rate. Against large SUVs of a similar age (16.4% fail rate), the 2013 Gl comes out 4.2pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.6%) and lighting & signalling (3.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, malfunction indicator lamp and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 109 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.9% in the 0-30k band and 12.8% in the 150k+ band, a 7.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 12.7% in 2021 to 10.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.6% | 159 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 102 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 81 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 52 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.6% | 46 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.5% | 42 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 109 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 69 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 52 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 41 |
| 5 | Joints | 38 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 33 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.7% | 648 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.2% | 434 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 250 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 211 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.1% | 203 |
| 6 | Suspension | 6.1% | 174 |
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 | 41 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 370 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 959 | 10.5% |
| 90-120k | 954 | 13.8% |
| 120-150k | 371 | 14.8% |
| 150k+ | 164 | 12.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,656 | 12.5% |
| Petrol | 203 | 8.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 584 | 12.7% |
| 2022 | 586 | 12.1% |
| 2023 | 562 | 12.6% |
| 2024 | 577 | 13.2% |
| 2025 | 550 | 10.5% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Gl
On a 2013 Gl, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (2.8% 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 2013 Mercedes-Benz Gls pass their MOT?
87.8% of the 2,859 2013 Mercedes-Benz Gl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Gl?
Tyres, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.6%).
Does the 2013 Gl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 12.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,859 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.