Used car guide · 1998–2019

Mercedes-Benz ML common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mercedes-Benz ML, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 96,986 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML

Too few Mercedes-Benz ML cars first registered in 1998 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. 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 ML as a whole.

77on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselfuel type
What to check on a 1998 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

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).

201920182017201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

What usually goes wrong with a Mercedes-Benz ML?

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.

  • Gearbox and electrical faults

    Cars registered 2012–2015 · All engines

    Most reported problems are gearbox and non-engine electrics, which are expensive to repair. Engines are fairly bulletproof.

    At the viewing: Check smooth gear changes, and test the sat nav, electric seats and tailgate.

    Source: What Car?: used Mercedes M-Class (2012-2015) reliability

Common Mercedes-Benz ML MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

    up to 6.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Headlights

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000 and 2001.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002 and 2004.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Diesel

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

    up to 8.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

Mercedes-Benz ML MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML did best (80% passed first time, 13 points above all 2013 cars) and the 2005 did worst (59%, 2 points above all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201978%85% -7129 (small sample)
201865%83% -18237 (small sample)
201764%80% -16280 (small sample)
201583%74% +99,479
201480%70% +1011,497
201380%67% +1312,563
201277%64% +136,841
201171%62% +97,714
201068%60% +87,801
200967%59% +85,953
200867%57% +106,706
200767%57% +106,424
200667%56% +115,377
200559%57% +22,996
200457%57% +04,031
200358%57% +12,950
200261%58% +32,655
200161%60% +11,495
200059%61% -21,247
199961%63% -2611

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

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

  1. Has the gearbox had any work?
  2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Mercedes-Benz ML as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.8× as often on the Mercedes-Benz ML as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Mercedes-Benz ML as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz ML?

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