Last updated: 2026-10-10
Land Rover vs Mercedes-Benz: Reliability Compared
Land Rover
2 models tracked
Mercedes-Benz
10 models tracked
Mercedes-Benz edges out Land Rover on reliability, mainly on fewer complaints per car sold and lower repair costs. The lead is slight. Land Rover does better on recall impact, and its Defender 110 rates good, so the right pick depends on the model.
Is Land Rover More Reliable Than Mercedes-Benz?
| Metric | Land Rover | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 58/100 | 60/100 |
| Models Tracked | 2 | 10 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 100 | 192 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 472 | 583 |
Land Rover Models
2 models ranked by reliability
Land Rover vs Mercedes-Benz: The Verdict
A slight edge goes to Mercedes-Benz. It is stronger on complaint severity and repair costs, and owners file fewer complaints per car sold: 1.6 per 1,000 against 4.2 for Land Rover. Four of its ten tracked models rate good.
Land Rover wins on recall impact, and the spread of problems across systems is even. Electrical trouble tops the complaint list for both brands. The sedan category also favors Land Rover on paper, but that rests on one model, the Range Rover Sport, which rates mixed. The gap is real but small, so the specific model and year matter more than the badge.
Where Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Land Rover | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 50/100Mixed | 61/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 40/100Mixed | 54/100Mixed |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 64/100Good | 59/100Mixed |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 79/100Good | 79/100Good |
The biggest gap is in repair costs, where Mercedes-Benz scores 14 points higher. That single component does the most to separate these two makes.
Land Rover vs Mercedes-Benz: Strengths and Weaknesses
Land Rover
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (58/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
Mercedes-Benz
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (60/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- High maintenance costs ($858/year avg)
- 6 of 10 models rated Mixed or Poor
- 79 fire-related complaints across lineup
Land Rover vs Mercedes-Benz Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Land Rover | Mercedes-Benz | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(1 vs 3 models) | 60/100 | 69/100 | Mercedes-Benz |
| Sedans(1 vs 6 models) | 57/100 | 55/100 | Land Rover |
The makes split categories evenly at 1–1.
Common Problems: Land Rover vs Mercedes-Benz
| Component | Land Rover | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29%244 | 23%842 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12%100 | 15%564 |
| ENGINE | 8%70 | 15%563 |
| POWER TRAIN | 12%99 | 10%387 |
| STEERING | 8%66 | 7%246 |
| STRUCTURE | 4%30 | 5%199 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1%10 | 4%153 |
| AIR BAGS | 3%22 | 3%119 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 11%94 | 0%4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4%35 | 1%25 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Land Rover vs Mercedes-Benz Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Land Rover
33
Crash reports
17
Fire reports
42
Injury reports
Mercedes-Benz
240
Crash reports
79
Fire reports
251
Injury reports
Every Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz Model Ranked
Land Rover Models
Mercedes-Benz Models
Land Rover vs Mercedes-Benz Reliability Trend by Year
Land Rover's reliability is improving — recent model years average 67/100, up from earlier years. Mercedes-Benz's reliability is improving — recent model years average 67/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Land Rover | Mercedes-Benz | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 70/100(2) | 71/100(6) | Mercedes-Benz |
| 2025 | 64/100 | — | — |
| 2024 | 64/100(2) | 62/100(9) | Land Rover |
| 2023 | 55/100(2) | 63/100(8) | Mercedes-Benz |
| 2022 | 56/100(2) | 59/100(9) | Mercedes-Benz |
| 2021 | 56/100(2) | 57/100(8) | Mercedes-Benz |
| 2020 | 42/100(1) | 57/100(8) | Mercedes-Benz |
| 2019 | 56/100(1) | 56/100(7) | Tie |
| 2018 | 47/100(1) | 56/100(6) | Mercedes-Benz |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Land Rover vs Mercedes-Benz: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Land Rover vs Mercedes-Benz?
If you want a luxury SUV with the best odds, start with the Mercedes GLB, GLC or GLE. All three rate good. On the GLB, target a 2022 or 2023 and skip the 2020, which can have rear spoilers that come off at speed and instrument clusters that go blank. Ask for service history, since some owners report cylinder head and valve failures. If you want a rugged full-size SUV, the Land Rover Defender 110 also rates good. Favor the 2024 over a 2022 or 2023, ask whether the DC/DC converter has ever failed, and check the windshield for cracks. The 2025 and 2026 cars are too new to judge.
Be choosier with sedans. The Range Rover Sport rates mixed. Frozen screens and split coolant pipes near the supercharger are the known problems, and the 2018 and 2020 years draw the most serious complaints. Buy a 2024 if you want one. Among Mercedes sedans, the E-Class is the one that rates good. The CLA rates mixed, so target a 2020 and skip the 2022.
The Bottom Line: Land Rover or Mercedes-Benz?
Lean toward Mercedes-Benz if you want the safer bet across more models. The GLB is the strongest pick in either lineup, in a 2022 or 2023 year. Budget for about $908 a year in upkeep on it, the top of the Mercedes range, against an $858 brand average. Choose Land Rover mainly for a 2024 Defender 110, and avoid the older Range Rover Sport years.
Land Rover vs Mercedes-Benz: Common Questions
Is Land Rover more reliable than Mercedes-Benz?
Which brand has more recalls, Land Rover or Mercedes-Benz?
Which is cheaper to repair, Land Rover or Mercedes-Benz?
What goes wrong most often on Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz?
Which model years should I avoid on these brands?
Comparing Land Rover vs Mercedes-Benz? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
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How we score Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.