Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls?

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 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls?

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 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls?

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 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

26% 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 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls reliable?

Based on MOT data from 645 vehicles, the 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls has a first-time MOT pass rate of 90.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (32.2% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (31.8% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (30.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls?

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 Gls (2018)

645 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.4% first-time pass rate

2018 Mercedes Benz Gls

CarHunch analysed 645 real MOT records for the 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls. 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS is a significantly stronger MOT performer than the UK average, with a 90.4% first-time pass rate against the national 80%, though the 25.7% of cars that have experienced dangerous defects is a notable concern—well above the typical threshold—so budget for potential safety-critical repairs. The diesel-only lineup (568 of 645 vehicles) maintains that 90% pass rate consistently, suggesting the powertrain is fundamentally sound across the board. These cars are averaging 44,818 miles at test, right on par for a six-year-old model, and typically need just 0.58 failures corrected per MOT visit, indicating generally solid build quality. Before committing to purchase, have a pre-buy inspection focus on brake components and suspension geometry, as these are the systems most frequently flagged as dangerous defects on this model.

The 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls has a decent first-time pass rate (90.4%), 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

90.4%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

25.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.58

Over 5.2 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

43k

Middle half: 32k–54k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 90.4% 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 3.7 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 645 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 645 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 32.2%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside 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.

Brake wear 15.8%

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 12.9%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 645 Mercedes Benz Gls cars.

Before you buy a 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls

Based on MOT data from 645 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 25.7% 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 (88%)	568	90.1%	0.6
Petrol (12%)	77	93.3%	0.43

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,296 Mercedes Benz Gls vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 47.4%

1,089

Grey 16.9%

389

White 12.8%

293

Blue 10.4%

238

Silver 10.2%

235

Red 1.9%

Brown 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls 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.

42,716

typical

31,759

low mileage

54,216

high mileage

Half of all 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls vehicles fall between 31,759 and 54,216 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 31,759 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.

✓ 31,759–54,216 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2018 Mercedes Benz Glss sit.

⚠ Over 73,191 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2018 Mercedes Benz Gls — Still on the Road

Most 2018 Mercedes Benz Glss are still being driven.

Strong survival — 534 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 89% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

5.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.58

Avg failures per vehicle

3.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2016 2017 2019

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

Compare with another model

See how the 2018 Mercedes Benz Gls stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing