Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Registered from 1990 to 2025.
About this model
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, colloquially known as the G-Wagon or G-Wagen, is a four-wheel drive luxury SUV sold by Mercedes-Benz. Originally developed as a military off-roader, later more luxurious models were added to the line. In certain markets, it was sold under the Puch name as Puch G until 2000.
From the Wikipedia article Mercedes-Benz G-Class, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2019 4.0 petrol. 25 of 444 tests failed, 6%.
Better than 85% of 2019 cars. The typical one fails 9%, across 908 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 64% | 16 |
| Brakes | 20% | 5 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 12% | 3 |
| Lights and electrics | 8% | 2 |
| Plates and identity | 4% | 1 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 64% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Brakes — 20% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Exhaust and emissions — 12% of its failures
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Lights and electrics — 8% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 40–60k miles this one fails 5% of its inspections, against the 12% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 6% | 5% | 125 | |
| 20–40k miles | 6% | 9% | 229 | |
| 40–60k miles | 5% | 12% | 75 |
429 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 20k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 4.0 petrol · 416 hp · 2431 kg · 2890 mm wheelbase · 14.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 4.0 petrol · 416 hp · 2481 kg · 2877 mm wheelbase · 14.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 5.5 petrol · 845 hp · 2555 kg · 2259 mm wheelbase · 13.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00017/22
A trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00027/24
Cracks may develop in the rear axle transmission housing, which could lead to transmission oil leaking onto the road, posing a risk to the following traffic. Moreover, subsequent fracturing of the housing could lead to an interruption of the power transmission on the rear axle, causing a loss of wheel guidance and propulsion without warning, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00045/22
The vacuum-controlled coolant pump may not be tightly sealed between the coolant and vacuum circuits. This may result in the coolant leaking into the vacuum circuit leading to an electrochemical reaction, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00070/23
Cracks may appear in the rear axle transmission housing which can lead to oil leaks on the road, increasing the risk of an accident for other traffic. The cracks can also cause the casing to break, which can result in power transmission loss to the rear axle and impaired steering. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01361/21
The electrical connector of the side-impact sensors might not be correctly latched and could become detached.This would lead to delayed activation of the restraint systems in the event of a side impact, reducing their restraining effect and increasing the risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01436/22
In some vehicles, the front cardan shaft can collide with the clamping body and damage it, which could lead to a sudden loss of vehicle propulsion, locking of the automatic transmission and wheels, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01448/22
Faulty configurations of the control units (traction systems, signal recording triggering modules, engine control units and headlights) could cause one or more control units to malfunction, which could increase the risk of an accident. The exhaust emissions exceed the legal limits, posing a risk to the environment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01558/23
The oil supply to the drive shaft bearing in the rear axle differential may be inadequate, which could lead to that the car suddenly loses speed, creating a risk of an accident. Moreover, the rear wheels may lock, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and/or transmission oil may leak or vehicle parts may fall onto the road, endangering other road users. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
4 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.