2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE hybrid: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the hybrid Mercedes-Benz GLE first registered in 2020 (hybrid cars only): we looked at the 1,239 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE hybrid?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE hybrid than on all cars registered in 2020.
- Ball joint6.8× usualMercedes-Benz GLE2.7% All 2020 cars0.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Brake pads: 2.3% here, against 7.7% of all 2020 cars.
Common 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE hybrid MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE hybrid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres30% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors4% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Suspension4% 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 electrics3% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes3% 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.
- Seats and seatbelts3% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE hybrid
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 6.8× as often on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
- 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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Mercedes-Benz GLE compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 156 | Tyres 19% |
| 2022 | 3,688 | Tyres 28% |
| 2021 | 9,432 | Tyres 29% |
| 2019 | 10,345 | Tyres 26% |
| 2018 | 17,391 | Tyres 28% |
| 2017 | 13,547 | Tyres 28% |
| 2016 | 16,176 | Tyres 28% |
| 2015 | 3,790 | Tyres 26% |
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 GLE cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score