2004 Mercedes-Benz Ml — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,218 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz Ml, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 72.1% was below the average for large SUVs of a similar age (74.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.2% in the 150k+ group versus 19.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 2,203 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.4% | 1,508 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.1% | 1,249 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.1% | 1,018 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.6% | 517 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 513 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 882 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 790 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 728 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 718 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 709 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 645 |
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 | 41.2% | 4,621 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.8% | 4,238 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 31.9% | 3,579 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 25.3% | 2,842 |
| 5 | Tyres | 25.0% | 2,801 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.9% | 1,900 |
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 | 46 | 19.6% |
| 30-60k | 228 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,268 | 25.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,884 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 3,710 | 29.6% |
| 150k+ | 3,066 | 29.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,642 | 28.1% |
| Petrol | 2,568 | 27.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,433 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 2,702 | 27.5% |
| 2023 | 2,166 | 26.9% |
| 2024 | 1,649 | 27.4% |
| 2025 | 1,268 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Ml
Before buying a 2004 Mercedes-Benz Ml, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.4% 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 (11.1% 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz Mls pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 11,218 2004 Mercedes-Benz Ml MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz Ml?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.4%).
Does the 2004 Ml get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.6% in the 0-30k band to 29.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,218 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.