Mercedes Benz

Mercedes Benz Gl (2014)

624 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.7% first-time pass rate

2014 Mercedes Benz Gl

CarHunch analysed 624 real MOT records for the 2014 Mercedes Benz Gl. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL passes its MOT at 87.6%, well above the UK average of 80%, but nearly a third of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a serious concern for a large family SUV where safety matters most. Petrol versions hold a slight edge at 90.1% pass rate versus 87.1% for diesel, though the diesel dominates the cohort at 519 of 624 vehicles.

At 65,800 miles median age, these GLs are running relatively light for their age, yet they're averaging 8.1 advisories per test, suggesting wear is accumulating in smaller systems rather than major failures—expect to budget for suspension, lighting, and trim issues rather than engine trouble. If you're shopping for one, have a specialist inspect the braking and suspension systems specifically, since those account for a chunk of the dangerous defect history.

The 2014 Mercedes Benz Gl has a decent first-time pass rate (87.7%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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
87.7%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
31.9%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
1.27
Over 9.2 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
66k
Middle half: 49k–82k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 87.7% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 8.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 624 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

What tends to go wrong

Across 624 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 43.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Other issues 21.2%
Oil leak, but not excessive · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated · …
Brake wear 18.6%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2014.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 624 Mercedes Benz Gl cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2014 Mercedes Benz Gl

Based on MOT data from 624 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 31.9% 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (83%) 519 87.3% 1.33
Petrol (17%) 105 90.1% 1

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,555 Mercedes Benz Gl vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 44.3%
2,019
Silver 25.5%
1,161
White 12.6%
575
Grey 9.6%
436
Blue 5%
227
Brown 1.6%
74
Red 1.1%
48
Green 0.2%
10
Beige 0.1%
5

Mileage Distribution

Most 2014 Mercedes Benz Gl 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.

65,782
typical
49,290
low mileage
81,566
high mileage

Half of all 2014 Mercedes Benz Gl vehicles fall between 49,290 and 81,566 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 49,290 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.
49,290–81,566 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2014 Mercedes Benz Gls sit.
Over 110,114 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2014 Mercedes Benz Gl — Still on the Road

Almost all 2014 Mercedes Benz Gls are still on the road.

Strong survival — 501 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 90% of the peak.

554 501 2017 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* 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

9.2
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.27
Avg failures per vehicle
8.1
Avg advisories per vehicle
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Watch for defects — worth knowing