Camshaft adjuster magnet oil leak
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil in the wiring plug — can reach the ECU
Fix: Replace magnet, check the harness
€150–600
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Mercedes-Benz ML (W163)
1997–2005
2
engines covered
7
known faults
5,171
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
13
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Mercedes-Benz ML (W163) was built from 1997 to 2005.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 7 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Conductor plate / speed sensor (5G / 7G-Tronic): it usually appears at 100,000–220,000 km and costs €500–1,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 200–250 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (25.8 %), suspension (15.0 %), brakes (14.6 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: steering. It fails less often than average on: tyres and wheels, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| V6 / V8 petrol (Mercedes M112 / M113) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-40 / 0W-40 · MB 229.3 / 229.5 · every 15,000 km |
| 2.2 / 2.7 / 3.2 CDI (Mercedes OM611 / 612 / 613 / 647 / 648) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 10W-40 · MB 229.1 / 229.3 · ~6.5 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
V6 / V8 petrol (Mercedes M112 / M113)
Crankcase breather hoses
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Oil leaks, whistle
Fix: Replace hoses
€100–300
Crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) separating
usually 150,000–300,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Vibration, drive belt squeals or comes off
Fix: Replace the crankshaft pulley
€200–500
2.2 / 2.7 / 3.2 CDI (Mercedes OM611 / 612 / 613 / 647 / 648)
Injector copper seals ('black death')
usually 100,000–250,000 km · High risk
Signs: Ticking, soot around injectors, diesel smell
Fix: Replace seals early
€200–1,200
High-pressure pump / fuel leaks
usually 200,000–300,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Hard start, power loss
Fix: Replace pump seals or pump
€400–1,200
Injector wiring loom / sensors
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Intermittent misfire
Fix: Repair the loom
€150–500
Gearboxes
5G / 7G / 9G-Tronic
Conductor plate / speed sensor (5G / 7G-Tronic)
usually 100,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Stuck in gear, limp mode, harsh shifts
Fix: Replace the conductor plate; fluid every 60–100,000 km
€500–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the V6 / V8 petrol (Mercedes M112 / M113) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer case / rear differential oilTransmission | every 80,000 km | €60–160 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Automatic transmission fluidTransmission | every 90,000 km | €200–450 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 5,171 tests.
| thousand km | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 11.3 % | 14.3 % | 14.6 % | 16.8 % |
| Suspension | 10.8 % | 13.7 % | 15.0 % | 15.6 % |
| Steering | 6.5 % | 9.8 % | 10.3 % | 9.3 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.2 % | 4.8 % | 4.6 % | 7.0 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 25.0 % | 24.6 % | 25.8 % | 28.1 % |
| Body and corrosion | 2.6 % | 6.2 % | 6.2 % | 8.6 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 1.9 % | 4.4 % | 5.7 % | 6.4 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 1,248 cars.
| age (years) | 20+ |
|---|---|
| Brakes | 8.3 % |
| Suspension | 9.1 % |
| Steering | 6.7 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 9.6 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 23.2 % |
| Body and corrosion | 2.2 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 3.0 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (13). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Brakes / ABS / ESP The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.30/09/2022 · R/2022/279
- Brakes / ABS / ESP The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.30/09/2022 · R/2022/278
- Brakes / ABS / ESP The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing24/05/2022 · R/2022/140
- Brakes / ABS / ESP The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing24/05/2022 · R/2022/137
- Airbag The driver's air bag may have a chemical change to its propellant over time17/08/2021 · R/2021/277
- Airbag The driver's air bag may have a chemical change to its propellant over time17/08/2021 · R/2021/279
- Engine / loss of power Faulty control unit may cause vehicle to perform outside specification19/04/2017 · R/2017/124
- Other Floor mat may impede accelerator pedal03/07/2013 · R/2013/064
The other recalls (5) are listed in the app.
Common questions
Does the Mercedes-Benz ML (W163) have a timing chain or a timing belt?
V6 / V8 petrol (Mercedes M112 / M113): chain; 2.2 / 2.7 / 3.2 CDI (Mercedes OM611 / 612 / 613 / 647 / 648): chain.
What are the known problems with the Mercedes-Benz ML (W163)?
The faults with the highest risk: injector copper seals ('black death') (100,000–250,000 km, €200–1,200); conductor plate / speed sensor (5G / 7G-Tronic) (100,000–220,000 km, €500–1,500); high-pressure pump / fuel leaks (200,000–300,000 km, €400–1,200); camshaft adjuster magnet oil leak (80,000–160,000 km, €150–600). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Mercedes-Benz ML (W163) most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 200–250 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (25.8 %), suspension (15.0 %), brakes (14.6 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: steering. It fails less often than average on: tyres and wheels, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
What should you check when buying a used Mercedes-Benz ML (W163)?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (13 have been published for this model). On the test drive, watch for these signs: ticking, soot around injectors, diesel smell; stuck in gear, limp mode, harsh shifts. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203) 2000–2007Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) 2002–2009Mercedes-Benz CLK (C209) 2002–2010Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) 1996–2004Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202) 1993–2000Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210) 1995–2003Mercedes-Benz CLK (C208) 1997–2003Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) 2001–2011
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168) 1997–2004Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220) 1998–2005Mercedes-Benz Vito (W638) 1996–2003Mercedes-Benz Vito (W639) 2003–2014Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W169) 2004–2012Mercedes-Benz CLS (C219) 2004–2010Mercedes-Benz G-Class (W463) 1990–Mercedes-Benz SLK (R171) 2004–2011Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W245) 2005–2011Mercedes-Benz R-Class (W251) 2005–2013
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026