Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ML 350 BlueTEC, 258 PS, 7-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €683 | €16,790 | 498 | Diesel | 642826 | Automatic (7) | 2011–2015 |
| ML 250 BlueTEC, 204 PS, 7-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €614 | €14,999 | 116 | Diesel | 651960 | Automatic (7) | 2011–2015 |
At a glance
- Years and engines: 2011 to 2015, always 4MATIC with the 7-speed automatic. Diesel four-cylinder (OM651) and V6 (OM642), petrol V6 (M276), V8 (M278) and an AMG V8 (M157).
- Reliability: 3/5. The AdBlue system, intake flaps, oil seals and Airmatic air suspension all need checks.
- DIY: 2/5. Owner checks are simple, but the AdBlue and intake tests need a scanner, and most repairs need a workshop.
- Prefer: OM642 diesels with service records from a Mercedes dealer, and Airmatic cars that pass a pressure test.
- Avoid: OM642 cars with AdBlue warnings and no records, and Airmatic cars that sag or fail the pressure test.
Engines and gearboxes
- OM651 2.1 diesel (ML 250 BlueTEC): its faults are covered in its own guide. See the OM651 guide.
- OM642 3.0 V6 diesel (ML 350 BlueTEC): the buying risks are the oil cooler seals, the intake flaps and the AdBlue system. See oil cooler seal leaks, intake manifold and flap faults and AdBlue system faults.
- M276 V6 petrol (ML 350 and ML 400): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- M278 V8 petrol (ML 500): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- M157 5.5 V8 AMG petrol (ML 63 AMG): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 7G-Tronic 722.9 automatic: see the 7G-Tronic guide.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| AdBlue system faults | OM642 V6 diesel | 100,000-150,000 km | 600-1,700 EUR per sensor (one German press test, 2020) |
| Airmatic air suspension faults | Cars with optional Airmatic | Checks from 80,000-120,000 km; rear springs often 3-4 years | Bellow about 200 EUR; compressor 600-1,200 EUR (one German garage, year not stated) |
| Oil cooler seal leaks | OM642 V6 diesel | From about 120,000 km | Not stated |
| Intake manifold and flap faults | OM642 V6 diesel | About 150,000 km | Not stated |
Before you buy
- Read the AdBlue fault memory with a scanner. Bad result: codes P20EE, P203F, P207F or P11F0, a yellow AdBlue warning with a full tank, or a dealer who has replaced sensors more than once. Needs a scanner.
- Run the Airmatic pressure test with a scanner: a 30-minute pressure hold. A drop under 0.3 bar is fine. Bad result: a bigger drop, a sag after parking, or a compressor that runs for more than 30 seconds per cycle. Needs a scanner.
- Read the intake flap (EKAS) position with a scanner. Bad result: a deviation above 10 % from target, or a rough idle. The repair means cleaning the intake, and can mean new parts. Needs a scanner.
- Look for oil in the V of the engine and at the gearbox flange, with the engine warm. Bad result: fresh oil on the seals, or a leak that has started.
- Ask a Mercedes dealer to check the VIN for open campaigns. Bad result: an open campaign, for example the steering gear bolts or the water ingress at the fuel pump control unit.
Running costs
| Operational | €263 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €223 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €237 |
| Total per month | €723 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €130 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 752
- 25th percentile
- €13,950
- Median price
- €16,800
- 75th percentile
- €19,990
- Median mileage
- 210,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2013
- Dealer share
- 46.4%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €23,623
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
OM642 AdBlue system faults
Symptoms: a yellow AdBlue warning with a full tank.
Cause: the AdBlue level sensors, the NOx sensors and the electric heater in the AdBlue tank can fail. AUTO BILD says the V6 diesel AdBlue sensors sometimes report faults that are not there. The NOx sensors sit in the exhaust and can be drowned in condensate, an owner says.
Which cars: OM642 V6 diesels. The heater elements fail from about 100,000 km, the thermostat from 150,000 km (kfz-dietrich.com). Sensor faults are rare before 150,000 km (AUTO BILD).
Codes: P20EE (too little NOx conversion), P203F (implausible fill level), P207F (AdBlue quality), P11F0 (tank heater). An owner reports NOx sensor code P2202 on a 350 BlueTEC.
Fix: the faulty sensor or heater is replaced. Mercedes replaced sensors free as goodwill, years after the warranty, for cars serviced at a Mercedes dealer. In some cases the fault came back after five or six part replacements.
Cost: sensors 600-1,700 EUR each, depending on the sensor (one German press test, 2020).
Sources: AUTO BILD: Mercedes ML 350 W 166 used-car test, kfz-dietrich.com: Mercedes ML W166 typical problems, PistonHeads: W166 ML350 NOX sensor issue
Airmatic air suspension faults
Symptoms: the car sags after parking, the compressor runs too often or all the time, and warnings can come on.
Cause: the porous rubber air bellows lose pressure, and the compressor then runs continuously. The compressor relay can also be a weak point. Replace the relay when the compressor is replaced.
Which cars: cars with optional Airmatic. Checks start from about 80,000 to 120,000 km (kfz-dietrich.com). Rear air springs usually last 3-4 years (zr.ru).
Checks: a XENTRY pressure hold test. A drop under 0.3 bar over 30 minutes is fine. Nominal pressure is about 13-16 bar. Compressor run time under 30 seconds per cycle is fine.
Cost: a bellow about 200 EUR, a compressor replacement 600-1,200 EUR (one German garage, year not stated).
Sources: kfz-dietrich.com: Mercedes ML W166 typical problems, zr.ru: Mercedes with mileage, common problems, zr.ru: Mercedes-Benz GLE with mileage, AUTO BILD: Mercedes GLE at TÜV
OM642 oil cooler seal leaks
Symptoms: oil in the V of the engine, oil at the gearbox flange, and a small leak first. ADAC says the TÜV criticises oil loss on this car range.
Cause: the rubber seals of the oil cooler harden with age and leak.
Which cars: OM642 V6 diesels, from about 120,000 km. AUTO BILD says oil leaks occur noticeably more often on the W166.
Fix: the seals are replaced, with Viton seals as the usual replacement. The job is labour-intensive, because the intake section has to come off.
Sources: kfz-dietrich.com: Mercedes ML W166 typical problems, zr.ru: Mercedes-Benz GLE with mileage, ADAC: used Mercedes GLE 2011-2018 diesel, PistonHeads: Just how risky is the ML350 Bluetec?
OM642 intake manifold and flap faults
Symptoms: rough idle and a warning light. Carbon builds up from the crankcase vapours, and the intake flap can stick.
Cause: the intake manifold is the weak point of the 3.0 turbodiesel. The intake flaps (EKAS actuator) gather carbon and stick.
Which cars: OM642 V6 diesels. Failures come at mileages around 150,000 km (zr.ru).
Checks: the EKAS actuator target is 0-30 % at cold start and 100 % at full throttle. A deviation above 10 % points to a sticky actuator. Reset the learned values after cleaning (kfz-dietrich.com).
Sources: kfz-dietrich.com: Mercedes ML W166 typical problems, zr.ru: Mercedes-Benz GLE with mileage
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany, 71,964 cars | not given | 2011-2015 | Water in the spare-wheel well can reach the fuel pump control unit, and the car can lose drive. A drain grommet is fitted and the control unit is replaced if needed. |
| Germany, 185,692 cars | not given | 2011-2015 | The steering gear bolts can loosen, and the power steering assist can fail. The bolts are replaced. |
| Germany, 238,000 cars | not given | Built 08/2011-06/2015 (ML 250 BlueTEC) | Unauthorised defeat device in the exhaust treatment. Free software update. |
| Germany, 12 cars | not given | Built 09/2014-03/2015 | Axle bolts not tightened correctly. Front and rear axle bolts replaced, free. |
| Germany, 30,455 cars | not given | Built from 07/2014 | The passenger seat occupancy system can fail to detect a passenger. Software update. |
| Germany, 61 cars | not given | Built from 04/2015 | The rear right seat belt anchor is bolted incorrectly. Anchor reworked, about one hour, free. |
| Germany | not given | Built 02/2014-11/2014 (ML 250 BlueTEC, OM651) | A faulty seal on the timing chain tensioner leaks oil. Seal replaced with an improved one, free. |
Check open campaigns for your VIN with a Mercedes dealer.
Maintenance
- Change the 7G-Tronic oil every 60,000 to 80,000 km (zr.ru and a German garage). Fill it with the Mercedes-approved fluid. See the 7G-Tronic guide.
- Plan for rear air springs to need renewal after about 3-4 years (zr.ru).
Sources
English
German
- ADAC: Mercedes-Benz M-Klasse 166 model page with recalls
- ADAC: Gebrauchtwageninfo Mercedes-Benz GLE 2011-2018 diesel
- AUTO BILD: Mercedes GLE at TÜV
- AUTO BILD: Mercedes ML 350 W 166 used-car test
- kfz-dietrich.com: Mercedes ML W166 typical problems