Does the Mercedes-Benz ML fail the MOT on brakes more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz ML records 11.37 brakes failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 13.95 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−2.58, 95% interval −3.72 to −1.44). It ranks 483 of 712 models on brakes (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on brakes · check a Mercedes-Benz ML by registration
What exactly fails on brakes?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz ML is “Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded”, recorded 84 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 84 | 2.04 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 54 | 1.31 |
| Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 47 | 1.14 |
| Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 39 | 0.95 |
| A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched | 38 | 0.92 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 4,115 (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 ML gets a brakes advisory, how often does it fail next time?
10.2% of Mercedes-Benz ML MOTs with a brakes advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 5,160 miles later (647 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 647 (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 ML by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz ML body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz ML lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz ML noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz ML road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz ML seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz ML steering failures · Mercedes-Benz ML suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz ML tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz ML visibility failures