Used car guide

2019 Mercedes-Benz X: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2019 Mercedes-Benz Xs, from 1,626 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,626MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%)
10,100typical miles a year
3.9×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2019 Mercedes-Benz Xs than on all cars registered in 2019.

  • Number plate lights3.9× usual
    Mercedes-Benz X
    5.5% All 2019 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.5% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints35× usual
    Mercedes-Benz X
    3.5% All 2019 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0% of all 2019 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.

  • Airbag warning light15.5× usual
    Mercedes-Benz X
    3.1% All 2019 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.2% of all 2019 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.

  • Engine warning light3.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz X
    3.4% All 2019 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.9% of all 2019 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.

  • Engine oil leaks3× usual
    Mercedes-Benz X
    2.7% All 2019 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2019 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.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 3.7% here, against 13.9% of all 2019 cars.

By area

The share of 2019 Mercedes-Benz X MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    18% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    14% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Suspension
    7% 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
    4% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020666Tyres 16%
20181,257Brakes 20%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2019 Mercedes-Benz Xs registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score