Used car guide

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLCs, from 9,086 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

9,086MOT tests in 2025
83%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
8,500typical miles a year
4.2×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLCs than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Ball joint4.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz GLC
    11.7% All 2016 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7× usual
    Mercedes-Benz GLC
    3.3% All 2016 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 0.7% here, against 6.1% of all 2016 cars. Shock absorbers: 0.7% here, against 4.3% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    27% 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
    18% 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
    16% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    3% 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
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz GLC?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20227,144Tyres 26%
20216,537Tyres 25%
202011,103Tyres 25%
201917,168Tyres 26%
201818,893Tyres 27%
201712,478Tyres 27%
20151,312Tyres 26%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLCs registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score