Is the 2021 MERCEDES GL reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 99% of MERCEDES GLs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 71 tests. That's 17 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2021 MERCEDES GL cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 MERCEDES GL?

The 2021 MERCEDES GL has a 99% MOT pass rate based on 71 tests in 2026. This ranks 155 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

Which year MERCEDES GL is most reliable?

The 2020 MERCEDES GL has the highest MOT pass rate at 100%. The least reliable year is 2006 at 78%.

MERCEDES GL (2021)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2021 MERCEDES GL?

The average mileage for a 2021 MERCEDES GL is 29,185 miles, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 71 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,587

£132/month

MOT Pass Rate

99%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1300cc Petrol

Great Choice

99% pass rate, £1587/year to run. 17 points above average.

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Petrol1300cc5 years old71 tests29k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1300cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,587

Per month£132/mo

Per week£31/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

99% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 17 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 5 years old, 99% of MERCEDES GLs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 71 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 29,185 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars155th of 3,373(top 5%)

Rank among MERCEDES models70th of 1,408(top 5%)

vs national average+17%(82% avg)

vs 2021 cars average+7%(92% avg)

vs MERCEDES average+12%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

29,185

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 MERCEDES GL has 29,185 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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 100% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 78%. The 2021 sits between the two at 99%.

MERCEDES GL by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	99%	71	29,185 mi
2020	100%	69	41,984 mi
2019	93%	137	35,018 mi
2018	95%	63	38,524 mi
2017	79%	47	108,751 mi
2016	88%	475	73,156 mi
2015	89%	1,283	79,394 mi
2014	92%	1,321	93,766 mi
2013	90%	1,304	103,757 mi
2012	89%	225	99,410 mi
2011	86%	609	116,582 mi
2010	89%	435	121,550 mi
2009	81%	224	126,000 mi
2008	84%	371	122,229 mi
2007	85%	572	130,779 mi
2006	78%	160	123,042 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FIESTA

2019 · 998cc Petrol

£1,400/year

91%

-8%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,582/year

92%

-7%

VAUXHALL CORSA

2019 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,732/year

88%

-11%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2020 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,582/year

93%

-6%

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About the 2021 MERCEDES GL

The 2021 MERCEDES GL is a small family car with a 1300cc petrol engine. 71 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 5% of all 2021 cars for reliability.

With an average of 29,185 miles at 5 years old, MERCEDES GL owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2021 MERCEDES GL Fuel Costs

The 1300cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2021 MERCEDES GL?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 99% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

MERCEDES GL Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES GLs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2021 MERCEDES GL

At 5 years old, the MERCEDES GL offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 100%. Note: with only 71 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 MERCEDES GL's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 2021 MERCEDES GL stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES GL(2021)	99%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1587
FORD FIESTA(2019)	91%	£955	£190	Grp 1-8	£1400-£187
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)	92%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£5
VAUXHALL CORSA(2019)	88%	£1137	£190	Grp 8-20	£1732+£145
NISSAN QASHQAI(2020)	93%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£5

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.