MOT failure data · 2025

Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT problems

Across every Mercedes-Benz GLC that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was ball joint ball joint excessively worn, on 18.17% of failure items. The broadest problem area was tyres at 37.32%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Ball joint ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	18.17%
2	Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	12.6%
3	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	11.45%
4	Condition has ply or cords exposed	Tyres	7.62%
5	Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Body, chassis, structure	6%
6	Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction	Noise, emissions and leaks	5.69%
7	Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	5.2%
8	Coil spring fractured or broken	Suspension	4.03%
9	Brake pads worn down to wear indicator	Brakes	2.95%
10	Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively	Visibility	2.37%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Mercedes-Benz GLC, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Mercedes-Benz GLC buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Mercedes-Benz GLC?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT FAQs

What does a Mercedes-Benz GLC most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Mercedes-Benz GLC cars failing their 2025 MOT was "ball joint ball joint excessively worn", appearing on 18.17% of failure items.

Does this mean my Mercedes-Benz GLC will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Mercedes-Benz GLC that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Mercedes-Benz GLC passed 88.01% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Mercedes-Benz GLC's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.