2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,413 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 90.1% was in line with the average for large SUVs of a similar age (90.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 13.3% in the 90-120k group versus 7.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.2% | 755 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.0% | 104 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 98 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.8% | 83 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 70 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.6% | 66 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 678 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 109 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 107 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 103 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 68 |
| 6 | Wipers | 48 |
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 | 23.2% | 2,416 |
| 2 | Other defects | 8.5% | 883 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.9% | 617 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 271 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.3% | 236 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.6% | 59 |
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 | 3,684 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 5,731 | 10.9% |
| 60-90k | 886 | 12.9% |
| 90-120k | 105 | 13.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 10,270 | 9.9% |
| Hybrid | 138 | 8.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 327 | 6.4% |
| 2024 | 5,114 | 9.6% |
| 2025 | 4,964 | 10.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 GLE
Before buying a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.2% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.2% 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.
- Brakes (1.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (0.9% 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
How many 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLEs pass their MOT?
90.1% of the 10,413 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE?
Tyres, recorded in 7.2% of tests, followed by brakes (1.0%).
Does the 2021 GLE get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 13.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,413 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.