2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE — MOT failures & pass rate
7,095 MOT tests on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE are in this dataset, and 90.5% of them passed. That is 4.2 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 13.7%. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests against 1.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and registration plates — tread depth alone was recorded 232 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2015 GLE fails 6.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.3 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 9.5% of the time against 9.5% for petrol.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.5% | 391 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.8% | 130 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.4% | 98 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 88 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.1% | 79 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 65 |
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 | 232 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 122 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 93 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 82 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 74 |
| 6 | Washers | 61 |
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 | 22.0% | 1,561 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.5% | 886 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.1% | 432 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 266 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 205 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.5% | 176 |
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 | 350 | 6.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,512 | 8.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,841 | 9.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,079 | 11.7% |
| 120-150k | 263 | 10.7% |
| 150k+ | 49 | 10.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,434 | 9.5% |
| Petrol | 578 | 9.5% |
| Hybrid | 83 | 10.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,449 | 8.3% |
| 2022 | 1,470 | 11.0% |
| 2023 | 1,421 | 9.4% |
| 2024 | 1,401 | 9.9% |
| 2025 | 1,354 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2015 GLE
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.5% 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.
- Brakes (1.8% 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 (1.4% 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 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLEs pass their MOT?
90.5% of the 7,095 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE?
Tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by brakes (1.8%).
Does the 2015 GLE get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.9% in the 0-30k band to 10.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,095 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.