Does the Mercedes-Benz GL fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz GL records 3.45 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 15.79 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−12.34, 95% interval −12.88 to −11.79). It ranks 627 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Mercedes-Benz GL by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz GL is “A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage”, recorded 289 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 289 | 1.41 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 123 | 0.60 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 61 | 0.30 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 39 | 0.19 |
| A gas, air or fluid suspension system component damaged, modified or deteriorated in a way that its function is seriously affected | 34 | 0.17 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 20,497 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Mercedes-Benz GL gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
7.0% of Mercedes-Benz GL MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 3,438 miles later (1,093 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,093 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Mercedes-Benz GL 2006 · Mercedes-Benz GL 2007 · Mercedes-Benz GL 2008 · Mercedes-Benz GL 2009 · Mercedes-Benz GL 2010 · Mercedes-Benz GL 2011 · Mercedes-Benz GL 2012 · Mercedes-Benz GL 2013 · Mercedes-Benz GL 2014 · Mercedes-Benz GL 2015 · Mercedes-Benz GL 2016 · Mercedes-Benz GL in Norway · Mercedes-Benz GL in Finland · Mercedes-Benz GL in the Netherlands · Mercedes-Benz GL by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz GL body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz GL brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz GL vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz GL lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz GL noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz GL road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz GL seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz GL steering failures · Mercedes-Benz GL tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz GL visibility failures