Used car guide · 2015–2026

Mercedes-Benz GLC common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mercedes-Benz GLC, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 232,570 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Mercedes-Benz GLC as a whole.

6,832registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol hybrid)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015

What usually goes wrong with a Mercedes-Benz GLC?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

Common Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Ball joint

    up to 9.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    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.

Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLC did best (83% passed first time, 9 points above all 2015 cars) and the 2022 did worst (91%, 2 points above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202398%92% +6192 (small sample)
202291%89% +27,526
202191%87% +413,510
202091%87% +434,052
201989%85% +451,503
201886%83% +356,736
201785%80% +537,612
201684%77% +727,448
201583%74% +93,991

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mercedes-Benz GLC

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Have all the recalls been done? Can a Mercedes dealer confirm from the VIN?
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 9.6× as often on the Mercedes-Benz GLC as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz GLC?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score