2010 Mercedes-Benz Ml — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 17,238 MOT tests, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Ml recorded a 78.7% pass rate. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (20.5% 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 12.3% of tests against 8.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, rigid brake pipes and position lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 916 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.1% in the 0-30k band and 22.7% in the 150k+ band, a 8.6-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.8% 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 | 12.3% | 2,126 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.5% | 1,462 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.0% | 1,032 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.2% | 890 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 561 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 442 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 916 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 709 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 692 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 650 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 630 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 446 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 24.8% | 4,275 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.6% | 4,234 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 2,440 |
| 4 | Suspension | 12.7% | 2,180 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 1,644 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 1,411 |
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 | 71 | 14.1% |
| 30-60k | 605 | 17.0% |
| 60-90k | 3,724 | 19.6% |
| 90-120k | 6,875 | 22.3% |
| 120-150k | 4,215 | 21.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,744 | 22.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 16,929 | 21.5% |
| Petrol | 309 | 13.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,849 | 21.0% |
| 2022 | 3,764 | 21.5% |
| 2023 | 3,528 | 21.8% |
| 2024 | 3,224 | 21.1% |
| 2025 | 2,873 | 21.2% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Ml
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.5% 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 (6.0% 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 2010 Mercedes-Benz Mls pass their MOT?
78.7% of the 17,238 2010 Mercedes-Benz Ml MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Mercedes-Benz Ml?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by brakes (8.5%).
Does the 2010 Ml get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.1% in the 0-30k band to 22.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,238 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.