2001 Mercedes-Benz Ml — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,218 MOT tests, the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Ml recorded a 73.7% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 25.1% of the time, so this is 1.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests against 11.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and track rod end — headlamp alone was recorded 337 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.3% in the 30-60k band and 29.1% in the 150k+ band, a 12.8-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 24.6% fail against 27.4% for diesel, a 2.8-point gap across 4,218 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 41.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 792 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 500 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.5% | 486 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.9% | 289 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 251 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 195 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 337 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 312 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 231 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 214 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 212 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 205 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 41.0% | 1,731 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.7% | 1,422 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 33.6% | 1,418 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 23.9% | 1,007 |
| 5 | Tyres | 22.6% | 952 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.4% | 606 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 80 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 417 | 21.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,002 | 24.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,254 | 27.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,452 | 29.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,644 | 27.4% |
| Petrol | 1,574 | 24.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,356 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 1,038 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 772 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 592 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 460 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Ml
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.8% 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.
- Brakes (11.5% 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 2001 Mercedes-Benz Mls pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 4,218 2001 Mercedes-Benz Ml MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz Ml?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.8%).
Does the 2001 Ml get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.3% in the 30-60k band to 29.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,218 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.