Used car guide

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLs, from 502 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

502MOT tests in 2025
84%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
8,800typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLs than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
    Mercedes-Benz GL
    8% All 2013 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 1.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 6.6% here, against 14.3% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    25% 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.

  • Brakes
    16% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% 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
    8% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    8% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Lights and electrics
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2015633Tyres 28%
2014527Tyres 26%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLs registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score