Flagship luxury SUV that cocoons you in comfort
The GLE is Mercedes' mid-size luxury SUV competing directly with the BMW X5 and Audi Q7. It targets affluent families and professionals who want a commanding driving position, cutting-edge technology, and genuine premium quality in a practical package. It replaced the ML-Class in 2015 and has become one of Mercedes' best-selling models globally.
We track 5 known issues across the Mercedes-Benz GLE range. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mercedes-Benz GLE? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
W166 (2015–2019) — Petrol options included the 3.0 V6, 5.5 AMG V8, with 2.1 CDI, 3.0 CDI on the diesel side. 5 known issues affect this generation, none rated as critical. The most significant concern is Excessive brake pad wear (£180–£280 to address).
W167 (2019–2024) — Petrol options included the 3.0 V6, with 2.0 CDI, 2.9 CDI on the diesel side. 3 known issues affect this generation, none rated as critical. The most significant concern is Excessive brake pad wear (£180–£280 to address).
GLE models show accelerated brake pad wear compared to typical SUVs, with MOT data indicating pad wear 4-7x the fleet average across multiple engine variants. The issue affects both front and rear pads, with 5.5 AMG variants showing wear indicators at very low mileages. Heavy kerb weight (2.2-2.5 tonnes) and aggressive brake pad compounds contribute to rapid consumption. W167 generation shows similar patterns to W166.
Worn pads reduce braking efficiency and can damage expensive brake discs if metal backing plates contact the disc surface. Replacement brake discs cost £200-400 each. The heavy vehicle weight makes brake fade dangerous on steep descents with worn pads.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
W166 GLE models with diesel engines show premature CV joint boot failure at 4x the fleet average failure rate. The rubber boots protecting the constant velocity joints crack and split, allowing grease to escape and contamination to enter. This primarily affects the outer CV joints on the front driveshafts. The issue appears related to boot material quality rather than mechanical stress.
Split boots allow grease to escape and water and dirt to contaminate the CV joint. Once contaminated, the joint will wear rapidly and require replacement within 10,000-20,000 miles. A complete driveshaft replacement costs significantly more than boot replacement alone.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
GLE brake discs wear at nearly 3x the fleet average, particularly on higher-mileage examples. The combination of heavy kerb weight, aggressive pad compounds, and larger disc sizes leads to accelerated wear patterns. Front discs typically show scoring and thickness reduction, while rears may develop corrosion pitting from light use. The issue is consistent across both W166 and W167 generations.
Worn discs reduce braking performance and may not meet MOT standards for minimum thickness. Warped discs cause brake judder and uneven pad wear. Replacement costs are high due to disc size - front discs are typically 350mm+ diameter on GLE models.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Diesel GLE models show engine management light illumination at 1 and 3.0 diesel variants. The faults typically relate to diesel particulate filter (DPF) issues, NOx sensor failures, or EGR valve problems. US NHTSA data shows similar patterns with engine-related complaints. The issue appears to affect both generations similarly, often triggered by urban driving patterns.
Persistent engine management lights indicate emissions system faults that will cause MOT failure. DPF blockage can lead to expensive replacement (£1500-2500). EGR valve failure may cause poor fuel economy and increased emissions. Vehicle may enter limp mode restricting performance.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
W166 GLE diesel models develop fluid leaks at Common leak points include engine oil seals, transmission cooler lines, and power steering systems. The leaks are typically slow-developing but can become environmentally significant. The issue primarily affects diesel variants rather than petrol models.
Significant fluid leaks will cause MOT failure and potential environmental harm. Oil leaks can lead to low oil levels and engine damage if not monitored. Transmission fluid leaks may cause shifting problems. Power steering leaks can result in heavy steering and pump damage.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mercedes-Benz GLE common problems page.
Based on 143k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mercedes-Benz GLE fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is window tint too dark at 11x the fleet average, followed by any fracture or welding defect on a wheel (8x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mercedes-Benz GLE MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 15k miles) typically costs £120–£180 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include automatic transmission fluid (£300–£450).
See the full Mercedes-Benz GLE service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is a reasonable used buy provided you check for the issues outlined above. None of the problems we track are insurmountable, but they do reward buyers who inspect thoroughly and verify the service history before committing. 2019 is the standout year with the fewest complaints and only 1 recall. The second-generation (2019 onwards) is significantly more reliable than the 2015-2018 first generation. Avoid the 2020 model year which had 15 recalls and numerous early-production teething problems.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Mercedes-Benz GLE, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Mercedes-Benz GLE issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.