2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class

• MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 58.1% All 2004 cars 57.9%
• Typical mileage at the MOT 129,300 miles; all 2004 cars 101,100
• Left at the end of 2025 1,795 38.5% of the 4,657 at the end of 2014
• Tests finding a dangerous defect 11.2% All 2004 cars 9.6%
• Tests with an advisory 77.3% All 2004 cars 70.0%
• MOT tests in 2025 998 normal tests in Great Britain

How do 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Classes do at their MOT?

In 2025, at about 21 years old, 58.1% of 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class MOT tests were passed first time, against 57.9% for all cars first registered in 2004. 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Classes did about as well as average for their age. A year earlier the same cars passed 56.5% of the time (all 2004 cars 56.5%).

Most common MOT failures on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class

Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play was the most common single reason a 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class failed, on 15.1% of about 400 failed tests. By area of the car, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment failed most often (55.5% of failed tests; all 2004 cars 49.2%). 11.2% of tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 9.6% for all cars first registered in 2004. A failed test can have several defects, so shares add up to more than 100%.

Most common MOT advisories on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class

An advisory is something the tester noticed that did not fail the test but may need work soon. 77.3% of 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class tests had at least one (all 2004 cars 70.0%). These are the things to check on one you are thinking of buying.

What mileage is normal for a 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?

Half of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Classes tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 129,300 miles. A quarter had covered fewer than 104,800 and a quarter more than 156,700. For all cars first registered in 2004, the middle figure was 101,100 miles, so 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Classes have been driven 27.9% further than average.

How many 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Classes are left?

At the end of 2014, 4,657 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Classes were on the DVLA record in the United Kingdom (these counts start in 2014). By the end of 2025, 1,795 were: 809 licensed and 986 declared off the road (SORN). That is 38.5% still on the record, against 25.3% for all cars first registered in 2004.

Recalls that may affect cars built around 2004

4 of the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class’s 36 recalls in DVSA’s records cover cars built during 2004. 4 have no build dates, so could apply to any year.

The 2004 on this page is the year of first registration, not the year the car was built. A car first registered early in 2004 may have been built in 2003, and recalls apply to particular build dates and VINs, so check the recalls either side too.

Every Mercedes-Benz ML-Class recall · Check a specific car on GOV.UK · How we match recalls

Recall details come from manufacturers through DVSA. “Vehicles” is the number the manufacturer reported; “all models” means the figure covers everything in the recall. A recall listed here may not apply to a particular car: only the manufacturer or GOV.UK can say for its VIN.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated 15 Sept 2026

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class

14 years of the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2013 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (79.7% passed first time) and the 2004 cars worst (58.1%).