2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS passed 90.6% of its 1,806 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, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.5% of tests against 1.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and registration plates — tread depth alone was recorded 59 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 15.5% versus 7.0%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 8.5% of tests failed in 2022 against 12.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.5% | 118 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.1% | 20 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.1% | 19 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 17 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.6% | 11 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 8 |
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 | 59 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 19 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 17 |
| 4 | Joints | 16 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 8 |
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 | 18.7% | 337 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.7% | 175 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.7% | 103 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.5% | 64 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 52 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 15 |
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 | 603 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 911 | 9.2% |
| 60-90k | 252 | 15.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,647 | 9.5% |
| Petrol | 159 | 8.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 458 | 8.5% |
| 2023 | 463 | 7.6% |
| 2024 | 434 | 9.0% |
| 2025 | 434 | 12.4% |
What to check before buying a 2019 GLS
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (1.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Brakes (1.1% 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 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLSs pass their MOT?
90.6% of the 1,806 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS?
Tyres, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (1.1%).
Does the 2019 GLS get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 15.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,806 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.