Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
Registered from 2010 to 2023.
About this model
The Mercedes-Benz GLE, formerly Mercedes-Benz M-Class, is a mid-size luxury SUV produced by the German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz since 1997. In terms of size, it is slotted in between the smaller GLC and the larger GLS, the latter with which it shares platforms.
From the Wikipedia article Mercedes-Benz GLE, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2018 2.1 diesel. 346 of 3,660 tests failed, 9%.
Better than 60% of 2018 cars. The typical one fails 10%, across 966 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 62% | 215 |
| Brakes | 16% | 57 |
| Body and structure | 16% | 55 |
| Visibility | 8% | 28 |
| Suspension | 7% | 23 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 6% | 21 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator
Where it stands out against its peers
- Body and structure: failed more often than 95% of 2018 cars — 16% of its 346 failed tests, where an ordinary 2018 car has 3%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 62% of its failures
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Brakes — 16% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator
- Suspension — 7% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Exhaust and emissions — 6% of its failures
- Body and structure — 16% of its failures
- Visibility — 8% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 80–100k miles this one fails 11% of its inspections, against the 15% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 5% | 6% | 112 | |
| 20–40k miles | 7% | 9% | 1,246 | |
| 40–60k miles | 11% | 12% | 1,585 | |
| 60–80k miles | 11% | 14% | 563 | |
| 80–100k miles | 11% | 15% | 120 |
3,626 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 40k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.9 diesel · 326 hp · 2297 kg · 2935 mm wheelbase · 8.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 3.0 petrol · 362 hp · 2220 kg · 2995 mm wheelbase · 9.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 3.0 diesel · 255 hp · 2281 kg · 2915 mm wheelbase · 9.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 2166 kg · 2915 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 2.1 diesel · 231 hp · 2165 kg · 2780 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 2158 kg · 2915 mm wheelbase · 5.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 2154 kg · 2915 mm wheelbase · 5.8 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
A12/00045/22
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
A12/00144/24
The necessary brake pedal force may have to be increased under specific conditions (including electric driving in wet weather). If the driver does not brake harder, this could make the braking distance longer, 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
A12/00149/23
Insufficient fastening of the bolts can cause the steering coupling to come loose from the steering spindle. This affects the steering capacity of the vehicle, creating a 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
A12/00185/23
The aluminium bolts of the steering box may break. This can lead to detachment of the steering box from the power block, creating a 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
A12/00196/24
A bolt on the high-pressure pump may be faulty, which could impair the sealing function between the high-pressure pump and the tandem oil pump. As a result, oil and fuel may leak onto the road, posing a risk to the following traffic. In addition, oil and fuel could come into contact with hot engine parts, increasing the risk of fire. 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
A12/00218/24
A bolt on the 12 Volt earthing cable under the driver’s seat may become loose, leading to increased electrical contact resistance in that area. The strong electrical currents flowing through that point could cause a local increase in temperature, leading to fire. Moreover, the increase in contact resistance may also deactivate the ECO start/stop function, leading to increased exhaust emissions. 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
A12/00575/24
The attachment plate of the accelerator pedal unit might bend, causing the accelerator pedal to detach from the vehicle body. This can cause the accelerator pedal to remain depressed, to prevent kickdown or to obstruct the brake pedal, increasing the risk of accident and injury. 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
8 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.