Known APK problem
Mercedes-Benz ML / GLE W166: drive shafts
On the Mercedes-Benz ML / GLE W166 the APK inspector finds drive shafts problems 6.3× as often as on cars of the same age: at 7–8 years 3.0%, against about 0.5% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Torn boots or worn CV joints on the drive shafts.
How to check it at the viewing
Look behind the front wheels at the rubber boots: no tears or grease around them. Drive a tight turn: no clicking noise.
Ask the seller: Have the drive shaft boots or CV joints been replaced?
By age
Share of inspected Mercedes-Benz ML / GLE W166s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | ML / GLE W166 | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 – 8 years | B | 3.0% | 0.5% | 6.3× |
| 9 – 10 years | B | 1.5% | 0.7% | 2.2× |
| 11 – 12 years | B | 2.9% | 1.3% | 2.3× |
| 13 – 15 years | B | 3.4% | 1.9% | 1.8× |
A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.
Comparable cars at 7–8 years
| Model | Drive shafts | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz ML / GLE W166 | 3.0% | 6.3× |
| Porsche Macan I | 2.5% | 5.3× |
| Hyundai Tucson III | 1.1% | 2.2× |
| Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 | 2.5% | 5.3× |
Looking at a Mercedes-Benz ML / GLE W166? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Mercedes-Benz ML / GLE W166s of the same age.
All weak spots of the Mercedes-Benz ML / GLE W166 · Drive shafts: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the Mercedes-Benz ML / GLE W166 often have drive shafts problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 7–8 years the inspector found a drive shafts defect on 3.0% of inspected Mercedes-Benz ML / GLE W166s, against about 0.5% of all cars of the same age (6.3×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the drive shafts on a used Mercedes-Benz ML / GLE W166?
Look behind the front wheels at the rubber boots: no tears or grease around them. Drive a tight turn: no clicking noise.
Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.
Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know