2019 Mercedes-Benz X — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,465 MOT tests analysed for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz X, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 85.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (89.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 17.3% in the 150k+ group versus 9.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 5.8% | 431 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.0% | 297 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 274 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 214 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 208 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.0% | 148 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 216 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 199 |
| 3 | Wipers | 188 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 175 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 136 |
| 6 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 129 |
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 | 15.7% | 1,172 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.4% | 1,073 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.8% | 356 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 335 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.7% | 274 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.6% | 271 |
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 | 1,513 | 9.8% |
| 30-60k | 3,452 | 13.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,747 | 15.9% |
| 90-120k | 512 | 19.5% |
| 120-150k | 165 | 21.2% |
| 150k+ | 75 | 17.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 37 | 13.5% |
| 2022 | 1,934 | 13.4% |
| 2023 | 1,749 | 13.9% |
| 2024 | 1,916 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 1,829 | 14.5% |
What to check before buying a 2019 X
Before buying a 2019 Mercedes-Benz X, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 5.8% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (5.8% 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.
- Tyres (4.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.7% 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 2019 Mercedes-Benz Xs pass their MOT?
85.9% of the 7,465 2019 Mercedes-Benz X MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Mercedes-Benz X?
Brakes, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by tyres (4.0%).
Does the 2019 X get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.8% in the 0-30k band to 17.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,465 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.