2003 Mercedes-Benz Ml — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,456 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Ml, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.9% was below the average for large SUVs of a similar age (74.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.4% in the 150k+ group versus 21.2% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.3% | 1,718 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 1,091 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.1% | 1,022 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.9% | 667 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 465 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 458 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 688 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 574 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 571 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 504 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 493 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 482 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.8% | 3,361 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.9% | 2,953 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 31.5% | 2,667 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 24.7% | 2,091 |
| 5 | Tyres | 23.2% | 1,963 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.7% | 1,497 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 203 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 937 | 24.1% |
| 90-120k | 2,177 | 27.0% |
| 120-150k | 2,690 | 29.5% |
| 150k+ | 2,408 | 29.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,927 | 28.6% |
| Petrol | 2,515 | 26.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,677 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 2,039 | 26.6% |
| 2023 | 1,611 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 1,183 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 946 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Ml
Before buying a 2003 Mercedes-Benz Ml, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 20.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (20.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (12.1% 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.
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 2003 Mercedes-Benz Mls pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 8,456 2003 Mercedes-Benz Ml MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz Ml?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.3% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 2003 Ml get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 30-60k band to 29.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,456 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.