At a Glance
The Mercedes-benz M-class W164 has 13 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Indicator fault being the most reported. Electrical is the most common MOT failure category. The most serious issue flagged is Flexible brake hose damaged, rated as dangerous. Based on 289K 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 W164 — 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 W164 MOT Pass Rate
Across 289K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Mercedes-benz M-class W164 (2005–2011) has a fail rate of 28.2%.
UK average fail rate (2006–2011): 38.9%
Common Mercedes-benz M-class W164 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.
Indicator fault
5,687
occurrences
Flexible brake hose damaged
3,477
occurrences
Parking brake performance below minimum
3,257
occurrences
Compression ignition emissions above threshold
1,356
occurrences
Brake performance below minimum
936
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Mercedes-benz M-class W164 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Mercedes-benz M-class W164 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 W164, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
573 distinct problems · 329,521 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 W164 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Mercedes-benz M-class W164 (2005–2011), we have identified 13 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Indicator fault". Electrical is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Mercedes-benz M-class W164?
This generation has 289K MOT tests on record with a 28.2% 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 W164?
There are 180 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the W164 (2005–2011), 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 W164?
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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