Model Reports 8 min read Updated 11 Sep 2026 DVSA open data · 698 tests analysed

Mercedes-Benz Ml 2003: reliability & common MOT faults

289 first-attempt MOT failures were recorded on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Ml in 2025. Figures are among first-attempt failed MOT tests, not among all tests.

First-attempt pass rate 58.6% across 698 tests in 2025. On 698 tests that is too small a sample to separate this year from the Mls either side of it — treat the recorded failures as a checklist, not as a verdict on the year.

First-attempt pass

58.6%

of 698 first tests (2025)

First tests

698

test year 2025

Failed first attempts

289

failed first-attempt tests

MOT pass rates

First-attempt and official-style rates among class 4 first tests of the year.

First-attempt pass

58.6%

of 698 first tests (2025)

Official-style pass

64.8%

incl. same-day PRS fixes

First tests

698

class 4 · first MOT of the year

Typical age 22.0 yrs · median mileage 128,900 mi

vs 2024: +1.3 pp first-attempt

Note:

  • Class 4 cars · first MOT of the year per vehicle · P/PRS/F outcomes (2025 data).
  • PRS (fixed at the station the same day) counts as a fail in the first-attempt rate.
  • Raw outcomes for this cohort — not adjusted for age, mileage, or peer mix.
  • MOT doesn't test engine or gearbox internals.

Common faults

Failure patterns that show up more often on this registration year than on similar cars.

These MOT failure patterns show up more often on this registration year than on similar cars of the same class, age, and mileage.

Shares below are measured across the 287 of 289 failed first attempts (99.3%) that recorded an odometer reading in 2025 — the subset the age-and-mileage comparison can be computed on.

Standout: Pins and bushes (front) — 8.7% of this year's failed first attempts

Recorded on 25 of those tests. It tops the table on elevation — about 12× more often than on similar cars of the same age and mileage. The full ranked list is in the table below.

No patterns met the strongest callout thresholds on this page; showing the highest-lift rows that still cleared the display floors.

Fault pattern Location Failures vs similar cars Share of fails Confidence
Pins and bushes (front)
Suspension > Anti-roll bars > Pins and bushes
 Front 25 ×12 8.7% Possible
Coil spring (rear)
Suspension > Springs > Coil springs > Coil spring
 Rear 41 ×5.7 14.3% Likely
Track rod end (front)
Steering > Steering linkage components > Track rod end
 Front 36 ×2.5 12.5% Possible

Only patterns that clear minimum sample and elevation thresholds are shown (at least 20 failures and about 2.0× more often than similar cars).

Note: Rates and comparisons are among first-attempt failed tests, not all MOTs. Patterns come from MOT defect codes — not manufacturer service bulletins, recalls, or a diagnosis of any individual car. Failures and advisories are listed separately.

Advisories

Notes recorded at the test that appear more often than on similar cars.

Advisory notes recorded on failed first-attempt tests that appear more often than on similar cars.

Advisory pattern Location Notes vs similar cars Share Confidence
Pins and bushes (front)
Suspension > Anti-roll bars > Pins and bushes
 Front 29 ×7.7 10.1% Possible
Brake pads (rear)
Brakes > Mechanical brake components > Brake linings and pads > Brake pads
 Rear 32 ×3.8 11.1% Wear
Note: Advisories are not a fail rate — they flag issues noted at the test, often before they become failures.

If you are buying one

What this year's MOT record means for the decision in front of you.

There are too few 2003 Mls in the data to call this year good or bad. Judge the individual car, not the year.

Other Ml years worth knowing about

Newer cars always pass more often, so a plain "best year" list would just rank by age. These are the years that beat or miss the trend their own neighbouring years set — the only age-adjusted signal this data supports.

Year vs the years either side First-attempt pass (rises with newer cars) First tests
2006 Ml +4.2 pp better 67.3% 1,315

Every figure here is a first-attempt MOT rate from DVSA open data for this model line. MOTs do not test engine or gearbox internals, so this is a pre-purchase checklist, not a full reliability score.

FAQs

Short answers about how to read this model-year guide.

On 698 tests that is too small a sample to separate this year from the Mls either side of it — treat the recorded failures as a checklist, not as a verdict on the year. In 2025, 58.6% of 698 first MOTs on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Ml passed first time (PRS — items fixed at the station the same day — counted as a fail). The official-style rate including PRS is 64.8%. Among 289 failed first-attempt MOT tests (test year 2…
Among failed first-attempt tests we highlight patterns that appear more often than on similar cars. Top example: Pins and bushes (front) (8.7% of those tests; 25 observed failures; about 12× more often than similar cars). These are statistical signals, not a diagnosis of any individual car.
Pins and bushes (front) shows up more often than on similar cars (8.7% of those tests; 25 observed failures; about 12× more often than similar cars). That does not prove a design fault — age, mileage, and how the car was used still matter. Treat it as a pre-purchase check point, not a manufacturer service bulletin.
Common MOT problem areas for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Ml include Pins and bushes (front), Coil spring (rear), Track rod end (front). These patterns show up more often than on similar cars after we filter out sparse noise — not a full list of every possible fault on an individual car.
Advisories flag issues noted at the test and are not a fail rate. We show advisory patterns that appear more often than on similar cars among failed first-attempt tests, separate from common failure rows. Use them as early-warning checks, not as a pass/fail score.
This page highlights MOT failure patterns for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Ml (registration year) using UK DVSA open data for the selected test year. Patterns are compared with cars of a similar age and mileage. It is a buyer checklist from MOT defect statistics — not a full service history or manufacturer service-bulletin list.
No. MOT tests do not cover engine internals, gearboxes, or many electronic modules. Patterns here come from MOT defect statistics only and should not be read as engine or gearbox reliability scores.

About this data

How this page is built and what it can (and can't) say.

These figures come from UK MOT open data for this model year. We surface common failure patterns against similar cars — not a full reliability score, and not a pass/fail verdict on any individual vehicle.

2024 2025

What we include

UK Class 4 cars only. Normal MOT tests (not retests); first test per vehicle per calendar year; results pass, PRS, or fail.

Same-day repairs

PRS means the car failed items that were fixed at the test station and then passed the same day. We count PRS as a first-attempt fail in headline rates so same-day repairs do not hide problems.

How we compare

We compare this model year with other Class 4 cars of similar age and mileage in the same test year. This model family is left out of the peer group so the car is not measured against itself.

What this does not cover

  • MOTs do not cover engine internals, gearboxes, or many electronics — this is not a full reliability score.
  • Common faults come from MOT defect stats, not manufacturer TSBs or recalls.
  • Age and mileage matching reduces — but does not remove — differences in how cars were used and maintained.
  • We never invent pass rates, star scores, or ranks when those data marts are missing.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Check any vehicle’s MOT history

Full MOT history, mileage records, and reliability insights for any UK vehicle.

Run a free check