Mercedes-Benz GL450 reliability - how does it compare?
Looks like you have a 2008. It'll probably be a few months before I start collecting data on the 2008s, depends on how soon enough are signed up that it looks like I'll end up with a usable amount of data.
With the 2007s, I have responses from 16 owners for a total of 40 months. To post a result, I need at least 15 owners (that parts done) and 45 months. So between two and five more 2007 owners will have to respond, depending on whether they've responded in past months.
There will be an asterisk for insufficient sample size. I'd like to have more responses the next time around, to get rid of that asterisk.
Also might be able to start collecting data on the 2008 soon. Among Mercedes owners, GL owners have been the most helpful. Thanks, guys.
Vehicle reliability research
With more participants, we can get rid of that asterisk with the next update, in February.
As it is, this is the first Mercedes I was able to provide a result for--thanks, guys.
Auto reliability research -- need more GLs!
12 2008s signed up already, a strong start. If this keeps up there should be an initial result for the 2008 in May.
Auto reliability research
Need more participants for both 2007 and 2008.
Vehicle reliability research
With more participants, we can get rid of that asterisk in the nect set of results.
For the details and links to the enrollment forum:
Vehicle reliability research
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
This has only been necessary in one case so far, but will probably be more common with older vehicles. Most of the combinations in the current results are 2006 or newer. With newer vehicles, powertrain problems tend to be rare.
Vehicle reliability research
Need at least 15 for an asterisked result and 25 for a full result.
So in both cases another 4-5 participants would be very welcome.
Even with the very small sample sizes, the repair rates are very similar, suggesting that neither is far off the mark.
To help us provide the best possible results for your year:
Vehicle reliability research
Would like to have larger sample sizes with the next update. Additional particiipants would be very helpful.
Vehicle reliability research
They weren't quite identical in the end for both years, but were still close enough that the difference could be a matter of the small sample size.
Both years appear to be worse than average, but not much worse.
With the prompt quarterly updates, we'll be able to track any changes, for better or worse, as these GLs age.
For the full set of results, and sign up to help (if you haven't already):
TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results
The results for the GL will probably still be asterisked, for marginal sample sizes. A few additional participants would be very helpful.
Vehicle reliability research
If you've signed up to participate but haven't yet responded to the survey (via a link in the email you received), please do. And if you haven't signed up yet, I hope you'll consider doing so. I'd really like to get rid of these asterisks and provide more precise results.
Vehicle reliability research
The August results include both the 2007 and the 2008, again with asterisks because the sample sizes are low.
The 2007 is now about average, while the 2008 is worse than average. When they were newer, the 2007s had a repair rate much like the 2008s now appear to have. So this might be a case of an issue or two in the first year, and then fewer problems after those are taken car of.
Or it might just be a matter of imprecise results from small sample sizes.
More precise results are possible--just need more participants.
The latest set of results:
TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results
Another 2008 is certainly appreciated--nearly twice as many 2007s are signed up.
Vehicle reliability research
Additional participants would be very helpful.
Vehicle reliability research
Repair rates, in terms of successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year:
2007: 125, worse than average
2008: 99, worse than average
Sample sizes were small for both years, so these results can only serve as rough indicators of the actual repair rates. With additional participants, we could provide more precise results in future updates.
For the full set of results, and to sign up to help:
TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results
Mercedes reliability research
2008: 150, worse than average
2007: 134, worse than average
In both cases the sample size is marginal, so on the site these results are asterisked and visible only to members. Their similarity does suggest that these results are accurate. Oddly, we have far more people signed up for the 2007, but more owners responded for the 2008. I'm baffled by the low response rate for the 2007.
A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May, August, and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.
We now have a separate results page for each model that includes the results for competitors. The page for the GL-Class:
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class reliability comparisons
Car reliability research
In other news, I've added all UK powertrains for Mercedes to the database. So people with a non-US powertrain can now also participate in our real-world fuel-economy survey. Results so far for the GL-Class here:
Real-world Mercedes-Benz GL-Class gas mileage
Last edited by mkaresh; Mar 30, 2009 at 12:14 PM.







