Common problems by part
Mercedes-Benz GLC body and structure problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 61,223 MOT tests · Updated
At 5 years, 0.3 in 100 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz GLC failed on body and structure, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 61,223 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 197 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 8 ages from 3 to 10 years, 298,696 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Driveshaft CV boot split, 0.2 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
0.3 fails per 100 MOT tests at 5 years, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 5 (all test years). That is about average.
Why it matters
A body and structure fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
Mercedes-Benz GLC body and structure fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 44,615 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| 4 | 56,436 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| 5 | 61,223 | 0.3 | 0.5 |
| 6 | 58,927 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| 7 | 42,547 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| 8 | 23,162 | 1.4 | 1.8 |
| 9 | 10,466 | 1.7 | 2.3 |
| 10 | 1,320 | 1.4 | 2.9 |
All first-use years of the Mercedes-Benz GLC pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the body and structure at 5 years
Fails
- Driveshaft CV boot split: 0.2 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.2. Replace CV joint boot: estimated £88–£196 (1–2 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £10–£40) Drive shaft constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated: 0.1 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.3. Drive shaft constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (MOT minor defect)
- Flexible couplings: slightly deteriorated: 0.1 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.0. Flexible coupling slightly deteriorated MOT advisory
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
By engine and fuel
- 2.1 diesel: 0.3 per 100 at 5 years, fails less often than diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (0.4–0.5×) (all test years; 29,993 MOT tests)
- 2.0 diesel: 0.3 per 100 at 5 years, about average for diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 13,517 MOT tests)
How to check on a test drive
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated.
Check one Mercedes-Benz GLC, not the average
The figures here describe Mercedes-Benz GLC cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Mercedes-Benz GLC's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Mercedes-Benz GLC problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLC suspension problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLC brakes problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLC lights and electrics problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLC exhaust, emissions and leaks problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLC seat belts and airbags problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLC windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLC tyres problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLC road wheels problems
Body and structure on rival models
- Ford Kuga body and structure problems: 0.3 per 100 MOT tests at 5 years, against 0.3 for the Mercedes-Benz GLC (133,086 MOT tests)
- Kia Sportage body and structure problems: 0.1 per 100 MOT tests at 5 years, against 0.3 for the Mercedes-Benz GLC (122,984 MOT tests)
- Volkswagen Tiguan body and structure problems: 0.2 per 100 MOT tests at 5 years, against 0.3 for the Mercedes-Benz GLC (115,034 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Mercedes-Benz GLC have more body and structure problems than other cars?
0.3 in 100 MOT tests at 5 years, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 61,223 MOT tests).
How common are Mercedes-Benz GLC body and structure problems?
0.3 in 100 MOT tests at 5 years failed on body and structure, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 61,223 MOT tests).
What is the most common Mercedes-Benz GLC body and structure fail?
0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 5 years: Driveshaft CV boot split (133 MOT tests with it).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 298,696 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare