MERCEDES GLE Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 712 MOT tests from 151 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 GLE has the same fault.

MERCEDES GLE's have a extremely good reliability rating of 804/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MERCEDES GLE 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 GLE (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2019	835/999Excellent	67,009 miles	2,507 vehicles
Diesel	2018	792/999Very good	71,398 miles	2,893 vehicles
Diesel	2016	784/999Very good	73,279 miles	2,881 vehicles

How reliable is the MERCEDES GLE?

Based on 712 MOT tests from 151 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

151

MOT tests

712

Pass rate

89.3%

Median mileage

63,097 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MERCEDES GLE has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 862 out of 999.

Common MERCEDES GLE 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 161 advisory comments and 35 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: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 34 advisory comments and 3 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 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 29 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))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 6 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. 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: OFFSIDE FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT HAS SLIGHT PLAY (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 4 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 REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 4 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 a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE SPECIFIED REQUIREMENTS (0.1 (D))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 3 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))

MERCEDES GLE 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
2025	6	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	8	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2022	13	29	93.1%	Tyre wear
2021	17	52	84.6%	Tyre wear, Ball joint wear
2020	19	76	94.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	13	58	93.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	21	134	91.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	15	119	84.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	19	160	88.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	8	79	87.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used MERCEDES GLE

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.
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.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
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.

Buying a MERCEDES GLE?

Common problems tell you what can affect MERCEDES GLEs 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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