2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE passed 91.1% of its 15,314 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (9.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.7% of tests against 1.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 684 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 15.6% once past 120-150k — 2.4× the risk.
The hybrid cars hold up better: 7.3% fail against 9.1% for diesel, a 1.8-point gap across 13,540 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.7% | 866 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.3% | 195 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 170 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.9% | 139 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.9% | 132 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.6% | 92 |
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 | 684 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 220 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 167 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 158 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 94 |
| 6 | Wipers | 68 |
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 | 21.4% | 3,284 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.9% | 1,362 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.4% | 1,136 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 426 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.7% | 410 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 85 |
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 | 5,177 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 7,850 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,962 | 11.9% |
| 90-120k | 268 | 12.3% |
| 120-150k | 45 | 15.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 12,706 | 9.1% |
| Petrol | 1,774 | 8.0% |
| Hybrid | 834 | 7.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 5.1% |
| 2022 | 3,886 | 7.4% |
| 2023 | 3,880 | 8.6% |
| 2024 | 3,740 | 9.7% |
| 2025 | 3,729 | 9.9% |
What to check before buying a 2019 GLE
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.7% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.7% 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 (1.3% 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 (1.1% 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 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLEs pass their MOT?
91.1% of the 15,314 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE?
Tyres, recorded in 5.7% of tests, followed by brakes (1.3%).
Does the 2019 GLE get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 15.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,314 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.