Mercedes Benz

Mercedes Benz Gle (2016)

6,188 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.8% first-time pass rate

2016 Mercedes Benz Gle

CarHunch analysed 6,188 real MOT records for the 2016 Mercedes Benz Gle. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE is notably reliable for its age, with a 90.8% first-time pass rate well ahead of the 80% UK average—but nearly 27% of these vehicles have recorded at least one dangerous defect, which is a material concern for safety-critical systems. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically (91.1% and 90.8% respectively), so fuel choice won't affect your MOT odds.

At a median mileage of just over 50,000 miles, these cars are lightly used for eight-year-old vehicles, yet they're racking up an average of 5.5 advisories each—a sign that wear-and-tear issues like suspension, brakes, and trim are cropping up despite low annual mileage. Before committing, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the braking system and suspension components, since high advisory counts often signal those as early problem areas on this model.

The 2016 Mercedes Benz Gle has a decent first-time pass rate (90.8%), 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
90.8%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
26.9%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.73
Over 6.9 tests on record
Moderate
Typical mileage
50k
Middle half: 39k–64k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 90.8% 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 5.5 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 6,188 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 6,188 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 38.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear 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.
Brake wear 19.3%
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.
Other issues 11.7%
Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 6,188 Mercedes Benz Gle cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2016 Mercedes Benz Gle

Based on MOT data from 6,188 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 26.9% 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 (92%) 5,692 90.8% 0.74
Petrol (6%) 366 91.2% 0.67
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (2%) 129 89.7% 0.74

Colour Breakdown

Based on 33,154 Mercedes Benz Gle vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 36.1%
11,962
Grey 18.3%
6,075
Blue 14.6%
4,832
White 14.3%
4,732
Silver 14.1%
4,662
Red 2.2%
740
Green 0.3%
101
Brown 0.1%
42
Purple 0%
8

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Mercedes Benz Gle 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.

50,372
typical
38,767
low mileage
64,076
high mileage

Half of all 2016 Mercedes Benz Gle vehicles fall between 38,767 and 64,076 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 38,767 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.
38,767–64,076 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Mercedes Benz Gles sit.
Over 86,502 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Mercedes Benz Gle — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Mercedes Benz Gles are still on the road.

Strong survival — 5,136 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% of the peak.

5,064 5,136 2019 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* 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

6.9
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.73
Avg failures per vehicle
5.5
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Mercedes Benz Gle: All Gle years → Which year to buy? →
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Watch for defects — worth knowing