Used car guide

2010 Mercedes-Benz GL: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLs, from 196 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 196 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

196MOT tests in 2025
80%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
8,200typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLs than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.3× usual
    Mercedes-Benz GL
    22.4% All 2010 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.1% of all 2010 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.

By area

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

  • Brakes
    36% 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
    32% 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
    22% 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.

  • Suspension
    22% 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
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    7% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016222Tyres 30%
2015633Tyres 28%
2014527Tyres 26%
2013502Tyres 25%
2012102Brakes 22%
2011260Brakes 30%
2009167Suspension 31%
2008217Brakes 41%
2007383Brakes 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLs registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score