Does the Mercedes-Benz M-Class fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class records 3.78 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 5.34 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.56, 95% interval −1.66 to −1.46). It ranks 499 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Mercedes-Benz M-Class by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 3,087 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 3,087 | 1.46 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit | 1,577 | 0.75 |
| Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users | 1,063 | 0.50 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 428 | 0.20 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed default limit | 340 | 0.16 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 211,108 (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 M-Class gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
5.9% of Mercedes-Benz M-Class MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 5,418 miles later (19,893 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 19,893 (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 M-Class 1999 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2000 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2001 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2002 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2003 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2004 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2005 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2006 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2007 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2008 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2009 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2010 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2011 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2012 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2013 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2014 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2015 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Norway · Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Finland · Mercedes-Benz M-Class in the Netherlands · Mercedes-Benz M-Class by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz M-Class body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class steering failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class visibility failures