2002 Mercedes-Benz Ml — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,478 MOT tests, the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Ml recorded a 73.4% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 25.3% of the time, so this is 1.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.8% of all tests — 7.1 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and track rod end — headlamp aim alone was recorded 551 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.8% in the 0-30k band and 29.0% in the 150k+ band, a 18.2-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.7pp more often than petrol ones (27.6% vs 24.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 1,408 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.7% | 878 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 826 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.9% | 592 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.2% | 462 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 388 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 551 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 510 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 480 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 445 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 374 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 352 |
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 | 39.9% | 2,985 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.3% | 2,641 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 30.8% | 2,301 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.1% | 1,880 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 24.9% | 1,865 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.2% | 1,287 |
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 | 37 | 10.8% |
| 30-60k | 128 | 15.6% |
| 60-90k | 784 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,911 | 25.8% |
| 120-150k | 2,421 | 27.4% |
| 150k+ | 2,188 | 29.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,617 | 27.6% |
| Petrol | 2,854 | 24.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,362 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 1,853 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 1,415 | 25.9% |
| 2024 | 1,039 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 809 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Ml
On a 2002 Ml, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Brakes (11.7% 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 (11.1% 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 2002 Mercedes-Benz Mls pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 7,478 2002 Mercedes-Benz Ml MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz Ml?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests, followed by brakes (11.7%).
Does the 2002 Ml get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 0-30k band to 29.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,478 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.