2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 52,148 MOT tests, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC recorded an 88.6% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 13.7% of the time, so this is 2.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (4.9%) and tyres (4.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, tread depth and brake pads — ball joint alone was recorded 2,179 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.1% in the 0-30k band and 16.2% in the 150k+ band, a 9.1-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.8pp more often than petrol ones (11.4% vs 9.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 4.9% | 2,547 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.3% | 2,236 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.6% | 839 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 717 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.3% | 679 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 647 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 2,179 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,251 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 799 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 702 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 682 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 635 |
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 | 22.6% | 11,767 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.1% | 7,886 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.4% | 4,367 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.8% | 3,527 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 1,828 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.0% | 529 |
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 | 4,046 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 22,435 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 18,216 | 12.6% |
| 90-120k | 5,806 | 14.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,244 | 16.1% |
| 150k+ | 390 | 16.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 51,182 | 11.4% |
| Petrol | 966 | 9.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,489 | 9.4% |
| 2022 | 10,452 | 10.4% |
| 2023 | 10,459 | 11.3% |
| 2024 | 10,412 | 12.6% |
| 2025 | 10,336 | 13.1% |
What to check before buying a 2016 GLC
On a 2016 GLC, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (4.9% 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.
- Tyres (4.3% 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.
- Brakes (1.6% 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.
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 GLCs pass their MOT?
88.6% of the 52,148 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC?
Suspension, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by tyres (4.3%).
Does the 2016 GLC get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 16.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 52,148 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.