Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 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 2009 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 2009 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 2009 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

31% 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 2009 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 128 vehicles, the 2009 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.1%, 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 2009 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 (2009)

128 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.1% first-time pass rate

2009 Mercedes Benz Gl 320

CarHunch analysed 128 real MOT records for the 2009 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL 320 matches the UK average first-time pass rate at 80.1%, which is solid, but nearly a third of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for buyers considering a large SUV in this age range. Petrol and diesel breakdowns aren't available for this model, so reliability appears consistent across the fuel types tested.

These GLs are running at 87,646 miles median—reasonable for a 15-year-old vehicle—but they're picking up nearly 3.1 failures and 20.4 advisories on average, suggesting the high advisory count reflects common wear items rather than structural issues on a vehicle of this size and complexity. Before purchasing, request the full MOT history to check the nature of those dangerous defects and whether they were rectified; with a median Carhunch score of 50, thorough pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes specialist is essential.

We have limited data for the 2009 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

80.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

31.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.13

Over 14.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

88k

Middle half: 65k–105k

For context

These stats describe 128 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 128 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Mercedes Benz Gl 320

Based on MOT data from 128 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 31.3% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 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.

87,646

typical

65,084

low mileage

104,820

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 vehicles fall between 65,084 and 104,820 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 65,084 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.

✓ 65,084–104,820 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Mercedes Benz Gl 320s sit.

⚠ Over 141,507 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 59% of 2009 Mercedes Benz Gl 320s are still active.

71 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 59% of the peak remain.

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

14.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.13

Avg failures per vehicle

20.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2006 2007 2008

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Watch for defects — worth knowing