2016 Mercedes-Benz Gl — MOT failures & pass rate
1,259 MOT tests on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gl are in this dataset, and 87.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (12.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 7.3% of tests against 3.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 52 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2016 Gl fails 9.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.9% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.4 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.3% | 92 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 43 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.2% | 28 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 24 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.4% | 18 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.9% | 11 |
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 | 52 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 36 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 24 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 23 |
| 5 | Attachment | 15 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 13 |
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 | 23.8% | 299 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.1% | 178 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.6% | 108 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 52 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 42 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 30 |
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 | 106 | 9.4% |
| 30-60k | 482 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 414 | 14.5% |
| 90-120k | 192 | 12.0% |
| 120-150k | 46 | 10.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,120 | 12.4% |
| Petrol | 139 | 15.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 262 | 13.7% |
| 2022 | 255 | 14.1% |
| 2023 | 244 | 9.0% |
| 2024 | 253 | 13.4% |
| 2025 | 245 | 13.1% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Gl
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 7.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (7.3% 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 (3.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (2.2% 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.
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 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gls pass their MOT?
87.3% of the 1,259 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Gl?
Tyres, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.4%).
Does the 2016 Gl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 0-30k band to 10.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,259 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.