Used car guide

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mercedes-Benz GL first registered in 2008: we looked at the 728 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

728MOTs of 2008 cars, done in 2023–2025
72%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,800typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.7× usual
    Mercedes-Benz GL
    25.5% All 2008 cars
    9.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.7% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz GL
    20.6% All 2008 cars
    11.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 6.9% here, against 14.9% of all 2008 cars. Sidelights: 3.6% here, against 7.2% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    43% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    28% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz GL?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mercedes-Benz GL compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019151Tyres 28%
2016666Tyres 29%
20151,897Tyres 26%
20141,597Tyres 27%
20131,509Tyres 25%
2012285Brakes 26%
2011805Brakes 30%
2010584Brakes 33%
2009531Brakes 32%
20071,375Brakes 40%
2006289Brakes 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mercedes-Benz GL cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score