At a Glance
The Mercedes-benz M-class W163 has 17 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Track rod end worn being the most reported. Electrical is the most common MOT failure category. The most serious issue flagged is Track rod end worn, rated as dangerous. Based on 425K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Mercedes-benz M-class W163 — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Mercedes-benz M-class W163 MOT Pass Rate
Across 425K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Mercedes-benz M-class W163 (1997–2005) has a fail rate of 41.9%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Mercedes-benz M-class W163 Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Track rod end worn
23,611
occurrences
Suspension pins, bushes or ball joints worn
23,200
occurrences
Coil spring broken or corroded
13,770
occurrences
Suspension linkage condition
6,936
occurrences
Brake performance below minimum
5,593
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Mercedes-benz M-class W163 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Mercedes-benz M-class W163 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Mercedes-benz M-class W163, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
627 distinct problems · 979,331 total occurrences in current filter
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Mercedes-benz M-class Generations
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mercedes-benz M-class W163 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Mercedes-benz M-class W163 (1997–2005), we have identified 17 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Track rod end worn". Electrical is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Mercedes-benz M-class W163?
This generation has 425K MOT tests on record with a 41.9% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Mercedes-benz M-class W163?
There are 192 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the W163 (1997–2005), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Mercedes-benz M-class W163?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mercedes-benz M-class owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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