Used car guide

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Mercedes-Benz GLs, from 217 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 217 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

217MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,400typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

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

  • Rigid brake pipes2.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz GL
    27.2% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.5% 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 leaks2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz GL
    24.9% All 2008 cars
    12.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, 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.

By area

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
    41% 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.

  • Suspension
    32% 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    28% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz GL?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016222Tyres 30%
2015633Tyres 28%
2014527Tyres 26%
2013502Tyres 25%
2012102Brakes 22%
2011260Brakes 30%
2010196Brakes 36%
2009167Suspension 31%
2007383Brakes 38%

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