Used car guide

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Mercedes-Benz MLs, from 2,218 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,218MOT tests in 2025
76%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,300typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Mercedes-Benz MLs than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
    Mercedes-Benz ML
    10.7% All 2012 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 2.1% of all 2012 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.

  • Engine warning light2.4× usual
    Mercedes-Benz ML
    4.4% All 2012 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes3.7× usual
    Mercedes-Benz ML
    2.2% All 2012 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.2% here, against 10.1% of all 2012 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.5% here, against 6.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 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
    19% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    13% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    11% 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%
20112,383Tyres 29%
20102,340Brakes 31%
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 2012 Mercedes-Benz MLs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score