Used car guide

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

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Mercedes-Benz MLs, from 2,340 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,340MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
7,900typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

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

  • Rigid brake pipes2.1× usual
    Mercedes-Benz ML
    14.4% All 2010 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, 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.

  • Engine oil leaks1.7× usual
    Mercedes-Benz ML
    17.5% All 2010 cars
    10.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2010 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.

  • Side repeaters4.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz ML
    5.9% All 2010 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 0.9% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual
    Mercedes-Benz ML
    9.5% All 2010 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 2.3% of all 2010 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

Number plate lights: 2% here, against 9% of all 2010 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.9% here, against 11% of all 2010 cars.

By area

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

  • Brakes
    31% 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
    30% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    24% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% 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
    10% 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
20153,138Tyres 28%
20143,787Tyres 28%
20134,070Tyres 27%
20122,218Tyres 27%
20112,383Tyres 29%
20091,745Brakes 38%
20081,886Brakes 38%
20071,710Brakes 39%
20061,376Brakes 38%
2005771Suspension 49%
20041,006Suspension 55%
2003755Suspension 54%
2002653Suspension 51%

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