Mercedes-Benz X MOT pass rate & common failures
The Mercedes-Benz X appears in 17,804 MOT tests spanning model years 1985–2021, and 85.7% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (10.5% fail rate), the X comes out 3.8pp worse. Its most common failure areas are brakes, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (5.8%) and tyres (3.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are malfunction indicator lamp, brake pads and wipers — malfunction indicator lamp alone was recorded 577 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.0% in the 0-30k band and 21.1% in the 150k+ band, a 11.0-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 15.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every X model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 882 | 84.6% | 15.4% | Brakes |
| 2018 | 7,292 | 85.1% | 14.9% | Brakes |
| 2019 | 7,465 | 85.9% | 14.1% | Brakes |
| 2020 | 2,158 | 87.7% | 12.3% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 5.8% | 1,025 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.8% | 674 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 669 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 607 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 514 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.1% | 367 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.2% | 214 |
| 8 | Suspension | 0.8% | 133 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 577 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 522 |
| 3 | Wipers | 452 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 405 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 326 |
| 6 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 321 |
| 7 | Headlamp aim | 282 |
| 8 | Registration plates | 197 |
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 | 15.7% | 2,787 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.5% | 2,756 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.1% | 908 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 838 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.1% | 735 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.0% | 716 |
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 | 3,317 | 10.0% |
| 30-60k | 8,001 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 4,399 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,411 | 18.6% |
| 120-150k | 446 | 20.0% |
| 150k+ | 223 | 21.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,594 | 13.6% |
| 2022 | 3,636 | 13.8% |
| 2023 | 4,102 | 14.6% |
| 2024 | 4,316 | 15.0% |
| 2025 | 4,156 | 14.0% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz X
- Brakes (5.8% 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.
- Tyres (3.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (3.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz X?
85.7% of the 17,804 Mercedes-Benz X MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 14.3% fail rate, across model years 1985–2021.
What does the Mercedes-Benz X most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes, recorded in 5.8% of tests, then tyres (3.8%).
How much does mileage affect X MOT results?
Fail rates run at 10.0% for cars in the 0-30k band and 21.1% for 150k+, a 11.0-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,804 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.