Mercedes-Benz G-Class MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 86.8% of Mercedes-Benz G-Class MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 3,326 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
91.5%
All cars: 86.1% (5.4 points better). 1,479 tests.
At 6–10 years
84.9%
All cars: 76.1% (8.8 points better). 1,211 tests.
At 11 years and over
80.5%
All cars: 61.3% (19.2 points better). 570 tests.
Pass rate by age
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 485 | 91.8% | 87.8% | 26,250 miles |
| 4 | 483 | 92.5% | 86.4% | 33,750 miles |
| 5 | 511 | 90.4% | 84.5% | 38,750 miles |
| 6 | 407 | 90.2% | 81.9% | 43,750 miles |
| 7 | 270 | 82.6% | 79.3% | 43,750 miles |
| 8 | 218 | 84.9% | 76.3% | 48,750 miles |
| 9 | 170 | 81.8% | 73.1% | 53,750 miles |
| 10 | 146 | 78.1% | 70.0% | 61,250 miles |
| 11 | 101 | 82.2% | 66.9% | 58,750 miles |
| 12 | 121 | 78.5% | 64.4% | 81,250 miles |
| 13 | 87 | 86.2% | 62.1% | 78,750 miles |
| 14 | 70 | 80.0% | 60.2% | 78,750 miles |
| 20+ | 191 | 78.5% | 61.4% | 73,750 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of Mercedes-Benz G-Class MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | G-Class | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.8% | 16.6% |
| Tyres | 5.0% | 8.4% |
| Brakes | 3.7% | 10.2% |
| Steering | 2.2% | 2.5% |
| Visibility | 2.0% | 5.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.9% | 4.0% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.9% | 0.4% |
| Suspension | 1.6% | 13.7% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords failed 1.9% of tests
- Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements failed 1.7% of tests · what this means
- Coil spring: fractured or broken failed 1.1% of tests · what this means
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick failed 1.1% of tests · what this means
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively failed 1.0% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp aim: too high failed 0.9% of tests · what this means
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm failed 0.9% of tests
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction failed 0.9% of tests · what this means
- Position lamp: not working failed 0.8% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp aim: too low failed 0.7% of tests · what this means
Checking a particular G-Class?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every G-Class version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: petrol 61.7%, diesel 38.1%, hybrid electric (clean) 0.1%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other Mercedes-Benz models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.