2005 Mercedes-Benz Ml — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,960 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz Ml, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 73.1% was below the average for large SUVs of a similar age (75.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.7% in the 150k+ group versus 15.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 1,354 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 927 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.6% | 926 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.5% | 594 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 402 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.6% | 364 |
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 | 535 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 475 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 475 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 469 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 415 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 399 |
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 | 37.3% | 2,970 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.8% | 2,689 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 29.5% | 2,349 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.6% | 1,960 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.7% | 1,648 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.8% | 1,019 |
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 | 33 | 15.2% |
| 30-60k | 215 | 17.7% |
| 60-90k | 907 | 25.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,092 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 2,695 | 27.2% |
| 150k+ | 2,008 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,464 | 27.9% |
| Petrol | 1,488 | 22.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,279 | 28.2% |
| 2022 | 1,939 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 1,574 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 1,217 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 951 | 24.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Ml
Before buying a 2005 Mercedes-Benz Ml, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.7% 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 (11.6% 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz Mls pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 7,960 2005 Mercedes-Benz Ml MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz Ml?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by suspension (11.7%).
Does the 2005 Ml get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.2% in the 0-30k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,960 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.