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MERCEDES G-CLASS (2001)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 42 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£3,107

£259/month

MOT Pass Rate

60%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3200cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

60% pass rate, £3107/year to run. 22 points below average.

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Petrol3200cc25 years old42 tests93k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3200cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 3200cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£3,107
Per month£259/mo
Per week£60/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

60% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 22 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 25 years old, 60% of MERCEDES G-CLASSs from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 42 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 93,234 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 cars351th of 362(top 97%)
Rank among MERCEDES models1403th of 1,408(top 100%)
vs national average-22%(82% avg)
vs 2001 cars average-13%(73% avg)
vs MERCEDES average-27%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

93,234

Average miles

vs

185,000

Expected for age

The average 2001 MERCEDES G-CLASS has 93,234 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 2021 model has the lowest at 78%. The 2001 sits between the two at 60%.

MERCEDES G-CLASS by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202178%6530,190 mi
202098%6632,570 mi
201996%31941,698 mi
201894%80739,199 mi
201786%69143,730 mi
201694%60458,012 mi
201588%59148,991 mi
201492%36254,969 mi
201394%44969,675 mi
201290%22176,209 mi
201196%9270,666 mi
201073%3378,145 mi
2007100%35103,461 mi
200160%4293,234 mi
199982%44113,541 mi

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About the 2001 MERCEDES G-CLASS

The 2001 MERCEDES G-CLASS is a performance with a 3200cc petrol engine. 42 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 97% of 2001 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 93,234 miles at 25 years old, MERCEDES G-CLASS owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2001 MERCEDES G-CLASS Fuel Costs

The 3200cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2001 MERCEDES G-CLASS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £3,107 259/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 60% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

MERCEDES G-CLASS Reliability Trend

The MERCEDES G-CLASS has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2001 MERCEDES G-CLASS

At 25 years old, the MERCEDES G-CLASS is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. Note: with only 42 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2001 MERCEDES G-CLASS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 25 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 93k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 60% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2001 MERCEDES G-CLASS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MERCEDES G-CLASS(2001)60%£1592£760Grp 35-50£3107
BMW 3 SERIES(2001)77%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397-£710
BMW Z3(1999)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£710
PORSCHE BOXSTER(2003)82%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£860
PORSCHE 911(2002)86%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£860

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Mercedes Models

Explore other Mercedes cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mercedes G-class.

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