MERCEDES GLC Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,006 MOT tests from 379 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every MERCEDES GLC has the same fault.

MERCEDES GLC's have a extremely good reliability rating of 820/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MERCEDES GLC that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

MERCEDES GLC (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2019	835/999Excellent	71,820 miles	6,639 vehicles
Petrol	2019	882/999Excellent	65,369 miles	1,073 vehicles
Diesel	2017	786/999Very good	71,318 miles	6,825 vehicles
Diesel	2015	775/999Very good	71,221 miles	6,166 vehicles

How reliable is the MERCEDES GLC?

Based on 2,006 MOT tests from 379 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

379

MOT tests

2,006

Pass rate

89.4%

Median mileage

63,286 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MERCEDES GLC has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 850 out of 999.

Common MERCEDES GLC MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 412 advisory comments and 67 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 64 advisory comments and 24 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT HAS SLIGHT PLAY (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 88 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 67 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 11 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 6 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

MERCEDES GLC MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	13	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	12	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	10	1	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	11	11	100%	Tyre wear
2022	22	45	88.9%	Tyre wear, Ball joint wear
2021	22	69	94.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	29	127	93.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019	61	328	89.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	79	519	89.6%	Tyre wear, Ball joint wear
2017	69	532	89.8%	Tyre wear, Ball joint wear
2016	40	350	85.1%	Tyre wear, Ball joint wear

What to check when buying a used MERCEDES GLC

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Buying a MERCEDES GLC?

Common problems tell you what can affect MERCEDES GLCs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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