2009 Mercedes-Benz Ml — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,361 MOT tests, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Ml recorded a 78.3% pass rate. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (21.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests against 9.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are side repeaters, coil spring and stop lamp — side repeaters alone was recorded 751 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 23.1% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 2,038 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.5% | 1,266 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.9% | 784 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.6% | 619 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 410 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 319 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Side repeaters | 751 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 696 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 641 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 637 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 551 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 387 |
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 | 31.6% | 4,225 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.9% | 3,321 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 22.5% | 3,012 |
| 4 | Suspension | 15.8% | 2,107 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 1,838 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.1% | 946 |
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 | 18.2% |
| 30-60k | 384 | 15.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,175 | 18.5% |
| 90-120k | 5,053 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 4,054 | 23.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,657 | 23.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 13,099 | 22.0% |
| Petrol | 262 | 9.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,070 | 21.5% |
| 2022 | 2,983 | 21.8% |
| 2023 | 2,738 | 21.3% |
| 2024 | 2,452 | 22.6% |
| 2025 | 2,118 | 21.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Ml
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.5% 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 (5.9% 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 2009 Mercedes-Benz Mls pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 13,361 2009 Mercedes-Benz Ml MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Ml?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests, followed by brakes (9.5%).
Does the 2009 Ml get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.2% in the 0-30k band to 23.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,361 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.