2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT pass rate: 92.8% (5,628 tests)
Is the 2021 GLC getting worse?
Pass rate of 2021-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 93.1% +2.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 92.4% +2.2 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2021 GLC
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 372 | 61.3% |
| 2 | Brakes | 106 | 17.5% |
| 3 | Visibility | 54 | 8.9% |
| 4 | Suspension | 23 | 3.8% |
| 5 | Identification of the vehicle | 14 | 2.3% |
| 6 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 13 | 2.1% |
All GLC years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3,973 | 84.7% | +6.0 pts | 73,563 |
| 2016 | 27,306 | 86.2% | +4.8 pts | 68,274 |
| 2017 | 37,380 | 86.9% | +2.9 pts | 58,748 |
| 2018 | 56,380 | 87.7% | +1.4 pts | 48,279 |
| 2019 | 43,500 | 90.1% | +1.7 pts | 39,649 |
| 2020 | 13,340 | 91.7% | +1.8 pts | 34,064 |
| 2021 (this page) | 5,628 | 92.8% | +2.3 pts | 32,714 |
| 2022 | 2,854 | 92.5% | +1.3 pts | 27,202 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Mercedes-Benz GLC years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC reliable?
2021-registered examples passed 92.8% of their MOT tests (5,628 tests, 2023–2025), +2.3 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 5 years old with a median 32,714 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2021 GLC?
The median tested example shows 32,714 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.