Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

28% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 113 vehicles, the 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mercedes Benz Gl 320 (2006)

113 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.8% first-time pass rate

2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320

CarHunch analysed 113 real MOT records for the 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2006 GL 320 is slightly less reliable than the UK average, with a 76.8% first-time pass rate versus the national 80%, and nearly three in ten have experienced dangerous defects at some point—a genuine concern for a potential buyer. The diesel variant (which makes up virtually all examples) passes at 76.5%, showing no meaningful petrol/diesel divide here.

These GL 320s have racked up a reasonable 85,231 miles median for their age, and they're accumulating problems: an average of 3.43 failures and 18.7 advisories per test suggest this is an expensive vehicle to keep on the road. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the suspension, electrics, and cooling system, as these older Mercedes tend to generate high advisory counts.

We have limited data for the 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

76.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

28.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.43

Over 14.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

85k

Middle half: 68k–101k

For context

These stats describe 113 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 113 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320

Based on MOT data from 113 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 28.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (98%)	111	76.5%	3.48

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

85,231

typical

67,851

low mileage

101,160

high mileage

Half of all 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 vehicles fall between 67,851 and 101,160 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 67,851 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 67,851–101,160 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320s sit.

⚠ Over 136,566 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 33% of 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 29 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (33% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

14.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.43

Avg failures per vehicle

18.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz Gl 320: All Gl 320 years → Which year to buy? →

2007 2008 2009

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

Compare with another model

See how the 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing