Used car guide · 2015–2026

Mercedes-Benz GLE common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mercedes-Benz GLE, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 89,264 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

89,264MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
42,539on the UK register
2known faults across all years
2015best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015

What usually goes wrong with a Mercedes-Benz GLE?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Air suspension leaks and compressor failure

    Cars registered 2015–2019 · Cars with air suspension

    Air suspension can suffer expensive problems. A 'Please wait, car is rising' message at start-up can mean a leak, which can burn out the compressor.

    At the viewing: Watch for suspension messages at start-up, and feel whether the ride changes between Comfort and Sport.

    Source: What Car?: used Mercedes GLE (2015-2019) reliability

  • Off-road damage

    Cars registered 2015–2019 · All engines

    Scrapes or old mud underneath can mean off-road use and damaged parts.

    At the viewing: Look underneath, or have it inspected.

    Source: What Car?: used Mercedes GLE (2015-2019) reliability

Common Mercedes-Benz GLE MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Diesel

  • Ball joint

    up to 8.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020 and 2022.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 6.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Transmission oil leaks

    up to 6.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015 and 2016.

    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.

Hybrid

  • Ball joint

    up to 6.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Mercedes-Benz GLE MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE did best (88% passed first time, 14 points above all 2015 cars) and the 2022 did worst (87%, 2 points below all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202388%92% -4156 (small sample)
202287%89% -23,688
202188%87% +19,432
202089%87% +214,739
201988%85% +310,345
201887%83% +417,391
201786%80% +613,547
201687%77% +1016,176
201588%74% +143,790

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mercedes-Benz GLE

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

  1. Has the air suspension had any work?
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 8.2× as often on the Mercedes-Benz GLE as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 6.4× as often on the Mercedes-Benz GLE as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the transmission oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the Mercedes-Benz GLE as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz GLE?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score