2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 25,537 MOT tests, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE recorded a 90.1% pass rate. Against large SUVs of a similar age (11.3% fail rate), the 2017 GLE comes out 1.4pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests against 1.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and registration plates — tread depth alone was recorded 940 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.9% in the 0-30k band and 17.9% in the 150k+ band, a 11.1-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 8.8% of the time against 10.0% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 8.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 10.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 1,569 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.6% | 401 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 312 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.0% | 250 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 232 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 227 |
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 | 940 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 405 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 278 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 268 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 218 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 210 |
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 | 22.3% | 5,688 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 2,906 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.2% | 1,589 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.7% | 697 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.7% | 687 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 315 |
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 | 3,924 | 6.9% |
| 30-60k | 13,076 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 6,675 | 11.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,537 | 12.8% |
| 120-150k | 245 | 13.5% |
| 150k+ | 78 | 17.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 22,234 | 10.0% |
| Petrol | 2,761 | 8.8% |
| Hybrid | 542 | 9.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,259 | 8.5% |
| 2022 | 5,151 | 8.9% |
| 2023 | 5,100 | 10.1% |
| 2024 | 5,104 | 11.7% |
| 2025 | 4,923 | 10.4% |
What to check before buying a 2017 GLE
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLEs pass their MOT?
90.1% of the 25,537 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by brakes (1.6%).
Does the 2017 GLE get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.9% in the 0-30k band to 17.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 25,537 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.