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Mercedes-benz ML - 2003

423.5 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2003 is 380.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mercedes-benz ML, model year 2003. Sample size: 1,003 cars, 2,136 tests and 9,045 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 1,003 cars

The 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML has an overall defect rate of 423 per 100 vehicles, which is 12% higher than the average of 378 per 100 for cars of the same year. Notably, this model exhibits significant issues in the steering category, with a defect rate of 44% compared to just 25% on average. Additionally, it shows a higher incidence of defects in lights and electrics, equipment, and other categories, indicating potential reliability concerns. Mileage trends suggest that defects increase with higher mileage, particularly in the 93,000 to 124,000 miles range where the model significantly exceeds average rates. Overall, while the ML may have some common issues, its performance in specific categories raises notable concerns compared to its peers.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 1,003 cars

More model years for Mercedes-benz ML

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Other models from Mercedes-benz

Mercedes-benz 190 E Mercedes-benz 300 Mercedes-benz A Mercedes-benz A 180 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz A 180 SPORT Mercedes-benz A 200 Mercedes-benz A 250 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz A-CLASS Mercedes-benz B Mercedes-benz B-CLASS Mercedes-benz C Mercedes-benz CITAN Mercedes-benz CL Mercedes-benz CL 500 Mercedes-benz CLA Mercedes-benz CLC Mercedes-benz CLK Mercedes-benz CLS Mercedes-benz E Mercedes-benz E 220 AMG Mercedes-benz EQA 250 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz EQC 400 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz ESPRINTER Mercedes-benz EVITO Mercedes-benz G Mercedes-benz G-CLASS Mercedes-benz GL Mercedes-benz GLA Mercedes-benz GLA 180 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLA 200 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLA 250 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLA 250 EXCLUSIVE Mercedes-benz GLB 200 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLB 220 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLC Mercedes-benz GLC 300 AMG Mercedes-benz GLC 300 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLE Mercedes-benz GLS Mercedes-benz GT Mercedes-benz ML Mercedes-benz R-Class Mercedes-benz S-Class Mercedes-benz SL Mercedes-benz SLC Mercedes-benz SLK Mercedes-benz SPRINTER Mercedes-benz V Mercedes-benz VIANO Mercedes-benz VITO Mercedes-benz X

Categories

Brakes
▼ 7.4% worse
181.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 169.3 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▼ 74.6% worse
44.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
Visibility
▼ 18.1% worse
35.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.8 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▼ 48.4% worse
152.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 102.8 / 100 tests
  • Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 7.0% better
281.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 302.1 / 100 tests
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 16.3% better
54.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.2 / 100 tests
Equipment
▼ 17.6% worse
16.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.6 / 100 tests
Other
▼ 54.1% worse
81.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 52.7 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 538 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 903
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 792
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 695
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 546
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 314
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 285
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 275
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 260
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 222
Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
MINOR
Occurrences: 202

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 174
A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
FAIL
Occurrences: 102
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 99
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 96
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 93
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 76
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 66
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 59
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 59
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 55