Does the Mercedes-Benz M-Class fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class records 11.95 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 21.10 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−9.15, 95% interval −9.34 to −8.95). It ranks 582 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 M-Class by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class is “A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened”, recorded 10,674 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 10,674 | 5.06 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 7,103 | 3.36 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 1,869 | 0.89 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 1,675 | 0.79 |
| A suspension component missing, likely to become detached or directional stability impaired | 1,005 | 0.48 |
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 suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
16.0% of Mercedes-Benz M-Class MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 4,798 miles later (18,504 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 18,504 (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 noise, emissions and leaks 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 tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class visibility failures