Mercedes X Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the Mercedes X fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and how each model year's MOT pass rate compares with other cars of the same age. Based on 10,504 MOT tests across 4 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: premium | Fuel: Diesel
89%
Mercedes X pass rate
87%
Mercedes average
82%
All-model average
The Mercedes X has an average MOT pass rate of 89%, which is 2 points above the Mercedes average and 7 points above the average across all models in our data. The Mercedes X has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.
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What the Mercedes X Fails Its MOT On
Of the 694 MOT tests on the Mercedes X that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Lights and electrics
25%Cars and vans the same age: 26% · Typical repair £15-£200
Brakes
25%Cars and vans the same age: 19% (the X fails on this more often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Exhaust, emissions and leaks
23%Cars and vans the same age: 8% (the X fails on this more often) · Typical repair £80-£800
Tyres
21%Cars and vans the same age: 31% (the X fails on this less often) · Typical repair £50-£300
Seat belts and airbags
16%Cars and vans the same age: 2.3% (the X fails on this more often)
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Engine warning lamp (diesel) on or not working (16% of failed tests, exhaust, emissions and leaks)
- Airbag (SRS) warning lamp indicates a fault (14% of failed tests, seat belts and airbags)
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick (11% of failed tests, brakes)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
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Mercedes X Years to Avoid
Every car in the 2024 MOT data was tested at the same age as the other cars first registered that year, so each X year is compared with all cars from the same year. Years with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old are included.
Failed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points less often than other cars of the same age.
Passed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points more often than other cars of the same age.
A lower pass rate means that year failed its MOT more often in 2024; it does not mean every car from that year is bad. Old cars still on the road are often the best-kept ones, which can lift the pass rates of the oldest years. How a car has been looked after matters more, so check the MOT history of the car you are looking at.
Mercedes X Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. All Cars is the pass rate of every car first registered that year, with the gap in points. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
Mercedes X Running Costs
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Mercedes X FAQ
What are the most common Mercedes X problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Mercedes X that failed at the first attempt most often failed on lights and electrics (25% of the 694 failed tests), brakes (25%) and exhaust, emissions and leaks (23%). The single most common fault was "Engine warning lamp (diesel) on or not working" (16%). Across 10,504 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 89% ended in a pass.
Is the Mercedes X reliable?
The Mercedes X has an average MOT pass rate of 89%, from 10,504 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Comparing each model year with all cars first registered the same year, so that age is allowed for, it passed within 2 points of other cars of the same age, so about average for its age.
Which Mercedes X years should I avoid?
No Mercedes X year with 1,000+ tests passed 3 or more points less often than all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). A year's pass rate does not tell you about one car, so check the MOT history of the car you are buying.
How much does it cost to fix common Mercedes X faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Mercedes X typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific Mercedes X
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Other Mercedes Models
Common problems pages for other Mercedes models