Mercedes Benz Ml (1998)
1998 Mercedes Benz Ml
CarHunch analysed 731 real MOT records for the 1998 Mercedes Benz Ml. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML passes its MOT first time in just 69% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly 3 in 10 examples have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for a used buyer. This is a reliability red flag: you're looking at a 26-year-old premium SUV with an above-average failure rate that demands serious pre-purchase inspection.
At around 103,000 miles median, these vehicles show typical wear for their age, but they're averaging 3.6 failures and 15.3 advisories per test, suggesting aging electrics, suspension, and emission systems are common culprits. Before committing to purchase, have an independent specialist conduct a full pre-sale check focusing on cooling system integrity and suspension wear—routine neglect on these cars turns into expensive surprises quickly.
What to check before buying a 1998 Mercedes Benz Ml
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 28% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mercedes Benz Ml
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (97%) | 708 | 69.1% | 3.62 |
| LPG (2%) | 12 | 67.6% | 4.75 |
| Diesel (2%) | 11 | 79% | 4.18 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Mercedes Benz Ml vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Mercedes Benz Ml vehicles fall between 86,537 and 120,129 miles.
1998 Mercedes Benz Ml — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 18 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (7% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Mercedes Benz Ml
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
75%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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67.3%
Oil leak
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60.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
60.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
52.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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51.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37.5%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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31.5%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes Benz Ml?
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