2008 Mercedes-Benz Ml — MOT failures & pass rate
15,586 MOT tests on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Ml are in this dataset, and 78.5% of them passed. That is 1.2 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 22.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.7% of all tests — 3.2 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, stop lamp and coil spring — position lamp alone was recorded 823 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 22.2% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 2,134 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.4% | 1,629 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.5% | 1,012 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.3% | 667 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 553 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 408 |
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 | 823 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 792 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 765 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 762 |
| 5 | Flexible brake hoses | 576 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 415 |
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 | 33.4% | 5,201 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 26.7% | 4,165 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.5% | 3,812 |
| 4 | Suspension | 20.5% | 3,200 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 1,790 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 1,232 |
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 | 57 | 17.5% |
| 30-60k | 257 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,043 | 18.0% |
| 90-120k | 5,261 | 21.2% |
| 120-150k | 5,039 | 23.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,909 | 22.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 15,153 | 21.6% |
| Petrol | 433 | 14.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,790 | 21.1% |
| 2022 | 3,566 | 21.3% |
| 2023 | 3,213 | 22.1% |
| 2024 | 2,737 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 2,280 | 20.5% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Ml
On a 2008 Ml, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.4% 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz Mls pass their MOT?
78.5% of the 15,586 2008 Mercedes-Benz Ml MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Ml?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by brakes (10.4%).
Does the 2008 Ml get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.5% in the 0-30k band to 22.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,586 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.