Common problems by part
Mercedes-Benz GLE lights and electrics problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 20,025 MOT tests · Updated
At 4 years, 1.0 in 100 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz GLE failed on lights and electrics, against 3.1 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 20,025 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: fails less often than all class 4 vehicles the same age (0.3–0.4×) (all test years), 194 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 8 ages from 3 to 10 years, 113,268 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Headlight aimed too high, 0.4 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
1.0 fails per 100 MOT tests at 4 years, against 3.1 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 4 (all test years). The Mercedes-Benz GLE fails less often here.
Why it matters
A lights and electrics fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Walk round with the lights, indicators, brake lights and hazards on (ask someone to press the pedal) and check every dashboard warning light goes out after starting.
Mercedes-Benz GLE lights and electrics fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 17,827 | 1.3 | 2.9 |
| 4 | 20,025 | 1.0 | 3.1 |
| 5 | 19,340 | 1.2 | 3.7 |
| 6 | 19,672 | 1.2 | 4.7 |
| 7 | 17,231 | 1.1 | 5.8 |
| 8 | 11,255 | 1.4 | 7.3 |
| 9 | 6,639 | 1.4 | 9.2 |
| 10 | 1,279 | 1.5 | 11.2 |
All first-use years of the Mercedes-Benz GLE pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the lights and electrics at 4 years
Fails
- Headlight aimed too high: 0.4 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.6. Adjust headlamp aim: estimated £16–£39 (0.2–0.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts) Headlamp aim too high MOT fail
- Headlamp aim: too low: 0.3 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.6. Adjust headlamp aim: estimated £16–£39 (0.2–0.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts) Headlamp aim too low MOT fail
- Side repeaters: not working: 0.1 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.1. Replace exterior lamp bulb (position, stop, indicator, fog, reverse, number plate): estimated £11–£47 (0.1–0.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £3–£8) Side repeater not working MOT fail
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a Mercedes-Benz GLE? Check that exact car before the viewing.
Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.
- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
How to check on a test drive
Walk round with the lights, indicators, brake lights and hazards on (ask someone to press the pedal) and check every dashboard warning light goes out after starting.
Check one Mercedes-Benz GLE, not the average
The figures here describe Mercedes-Benz GLE cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Mercedes-Benz GLE'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 GLE problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLE suspension problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLE brakes problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLE steering problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLE body and structure problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLE exhaust, emissions and leaks problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLE seat belts and airbags problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLE windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLE tyres problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLE road wheels problems
Lights and electrics on rival models
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport lights and electrics problems: 1.5 per 100 MOT tests at 4 years, against 1.0 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE (40,508 MOT tests)
- Land Rover Range Rover Velar lights and electrics problems: 2.7 per 100 MOT tests at 4 years, against 1.0 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE (30,942 MOT tests)
- Land Rover Discovery lights and electrics problems: 1.7 per 100 MOT tests at 4 years, against 1.0 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE (27,302 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Mercedes-Benz GLE have more lights and electrics problems than other cars?
0.3 to 0.4 times the lights and electrics fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 4 years (all test years), from 20,025 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 0.8 in the same direction at 6 of the 8 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).
How common are Mercedes-Benz GLE lights and electrics problems?
1.0 in 100 MOT tests at 4 years failed on lights and electrics, against 3.1 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 20,025 MOT tests).
What is the most common Mercedes-Benz GLE lights and electrics fail?
0.4 in 100 MOT tests at 4 years: Headlight aimed too high (76 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, 113,268 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