MOT performance
Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 150,770 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz GLC in 2023–2024, 87.7% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Mercedes-Benz GLCs failed 29% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “ball joint: ball joint excessively worn”, on 2.29% of tests.
150,770 MOT tests on 77,994 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 87.7% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 150,770 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.71× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 4.2% | n = 150,770 |
| Average age at test | 4.7 years | n = 150,770 |
| Median mileage at test | 42,386 miles | n = 150,770 |
| Vehicles tested | 77,994 | 2023–2024 |
Where Mercedes-Benz GLCs fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.2% | -8% |
| Suspension | 2.9% | +18% |
| Brakes | 1.6% | -52% |
| Driver's view of the road | 1.3% | -61% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.3% | -10% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.1% | -75% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.5% | -38% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% | +52% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.2% | -44% |
| Road wheels | 0.1% | -41% |
| Steering | 0.0% | -92% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | +126% |
Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT pass rate by fuel: diesel vs petrol
Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Fuels that differ materially from the model as a whole have their own page.
| Fuel | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 117,567 | 4.9 yrs | 87.0% | -29% |
| Petrol | 23,308 | 4.3 yrs | 89.4% | -31% |
| Hybrid | 9,893 | 2.7 yrs | 91.6% | -21% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 2.29% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.77% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 1.70% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.22% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.85% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 0.83% |
| Brake pads: worn down to wear indicator | Brakes | 0.56% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 0.52% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 0.43% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 0.43% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 15.46% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 7.66% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 5.14% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 4.41% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 3.84% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 57,964 | 89.8% | -30% |
| 5-6 | 57,598 | 86.1% | -25% |
| 7-8 | 21,060 | 83.8% | -32% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,055 | 91.1% | 0.66× |
| 2020 | 23,180 | 90.9% | 0.67× |
| 2019 | 34,998 | 89.5% | 0.69× |
| 2018 | 38,550 | 86.8% | 0.76× |
| 2017 | 25,435 | 85.3% | 0.74× |
| 2016 | 18,568 | 84.5% | 0.68× |
| 2015 | 2,694 | 82.9% | 0.68× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
What a Mercedes-Benz GLC costs to own
73 Auto's worked ownership-cost examples for this model:
Check a specific Mercedes-Benz GLC
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.