MOT performance
Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 (2015–2019): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 32,905 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered Nov 2015–Dec 2018, on average 5.9 years old at test), 87.2% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the W166 failed 36% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation that replaced it, the V167, it fails 17% less often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.64× vs 0.76×).
32,905 MOT tests on 16,484 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 87.2% | ±0.4 pts (95%), n = 32,905 |
| All Mercedes-Benz GLEs | 78.8% | n = 125,766 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.64× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; Mercedes-Benz GLE overall 0.73× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 5.8% | n = 32,905 |
| Average age at test | 5.9 years | n = 32,905 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2015–2019 | Sept 2015 to Mar 2019 |
W166 against the other Mercedes-Benz GLE generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W166 (2015–2019) | 32,905 | 5.9 yrs | 87.2% | -36% | 5.8% |
| V167 (2019 on) | 19,787 | 2.9 yrs | 88.7% | -24% | 5.3% |
Where the W166 differs
- Steering: the W166 failed 85% less often than the Mercedes-Benz GLE overall, relative to comparable cars (0.08× vs 0.54×).
- Lights, reflectors and electrical: the W166 failed 65% less often than the Mercedes-Benz GLE overall, relative to comparable cars (0.23× vs 0.67×).
- Brakes: the W166 failed 42% less often than the Mercedes-Benz GLE overall, relative to comparable cars (0.41× vs 0.70×).
- Noise, emissions and leaks: the W166 failed 37% less often than the Mercedes-Benz GLE overall, relative to comparable cars (0.55× vs 0.87×).
| Area | W166 (vs similar) | V167 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.8% (+10%) | 6.8% (+28%) |
| Brakes | 1.7% (-59%) | 1.2% (-54%) |
| Suspension | 1.3% (-66%) | 0.5% (-48%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.3% (-77%) | 1.3% (-65%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 1.1% (-66%) | 1.0% (-72%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.0% (-45%) | 0.5% (-57%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.9% (-30%) | 0.3% (-39%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.6% (+106%) | 0.6% (+122%) |
| Road wheels | 0.4% (+43%) | 0.2% (-17%) |
Most common Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.45% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.89% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.83% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 1.03% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 0.85% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | W166 pass rate (tests) | V167 pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 90.1% (3,499) | 88.8% (12,402) |
| 5-6 | 86.8% (18,618) | 86.9% (520) |
| 7-8 | 86.9% (10,768) | — |
Registration years in the W166
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the W166 (Sept 2015 to Mar 2019). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific Mercedes-Benz GLE W166
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.