2006 Mercedes-Benz Ml — MOT failures & pass rate
13,285 MOT tests on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz Ml are in this dataset, and 78.0% of them passed. Against large SUVs of a similar age (24.3% fail rate), the 2006 Ml comes out 2.3pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.1%) and brakes (11.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rigid brake pipes and stop lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 660 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.6% in the 0-30k band and 23.8% in the 150k+ band, a 10.1-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.5pp more often than petrol ones (22.5% vs 18.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 1,734 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.0% | 1,466 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.5% | 859 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 620 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.2% | 551 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.9% | 389 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 660 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 610 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 489 |
| 4 | Flexible brake hoses | 479 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 453 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 441 |
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 | 32.9% | 4,375 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 29.1% | 3,861 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.0% | 3,320 |
| 4 | Suspension | 24.3% | 3,234 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 1,765 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 1,219 |
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 | 44 | 13.6% |
| 30-60k | 271 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,444 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 3,498 | 21.0% |
| 120-150k | 4,736 | 23.1% |
| 150k+ | 3,259 | 23.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,938 | 22.5% |
| Petrol | 1,342 | 18.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,525 | 22.0% |
| 2022 | 3,228 | 22.8% |
| 2023 | 2,763 | 21.6% |
| 2024 | 2,114 | 21.9% |
| 2025 | 1,655 | 21.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Ml
On a 2006 Ml, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.0% 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 (6.5% 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz Mls pass their MOT?
78.0% of the 13,285 2006 Mercedes-Benz Ml MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz Ml?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by brakes (11.0%).
Does the 2006 Ml get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 0-30k band to 23.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,285 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.