Used car guide

2010 Mercedes-Benz ML petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Mercedes-Benz ML first registered in 2010 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 155 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 155 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

155MOTs of 2010 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
81%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 60%)
6,200typical miles a year
23%had brakes flagged

Common 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    23% 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
    18% 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
    13% 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
    10% 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
    6% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    5% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz ML?

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Other years

Every year of the Mercedes-Benz ML compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019129Suspension 21%
2018237Suspension 26%
2017280Suspension 29%
20159,479Tyres 28%
201411,497Tyres 28%
201312,563Tyres 27%
20126,841Tyres 26%
20117,714Tyres 28%
20095,953Brakes 36%
20086,706Brakes 40%
20076,424Brakes 39%
20065,377Brakes 39%
20052,996Suspension 48%
20044,031Suspension 54%
20032,950Suspension 51%
20022,655Suspension 48%
20011,495Suspension 47%
20001,247Brakes 49%
1999611Suspension 50%
1998–Too few tests

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 ML cars first registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score