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Cross-comparison · Comparison spans different vehicle types

2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-05-03 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport and 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class run close on the data

Reliability scores are close enough (4.0 versus 4.0) that the choice between these two probably comes down to specific use case rather than overall reliability scoring.

2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

4.0/5
Reliability score
58 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$10,400 repair exposure
vs

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class

4.0/5
Reliability score
60 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$9,650 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

Reliability scores run close (4.0 versus 4.0). The pick comes down to specific use case more than overall reliability scoring.

If you lean 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, know what you're getting into on steering and airbags. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class? Watch the cruise control and powertrain. The 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
electrical
7 reports
moderate · ~$850
7 reports
moderate · ~$850
brakes
6 reports
moderate · ~$450
6 reports
moderate · ~$450
engine
5 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
5 reports
severe · ~$3,100
steering
5 reports
severe · ~$700
4 reports
moderate · ~$700
airbags
4 reports
severe · ~$1,100
3 reports
severe · ~$1,100
cruise control
3 reports
severe · ~$600
4 reports
moderate · ~$600
powertrain
No reports
7 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
fuel system
6 reports
severe · ~$1,200
No reports
body
5 reports
severe · ~$1,500
No reports
visibility
No reports
4 reports
moderate · ~$350

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport or the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?

It's close to a tie. Both vehicles score within 0.2 points on our reliability index (4.0 vs 4.0). At this margin, either choice is defensible — base your decision on the specific failure modes that matter to you.

What goes wrong more often on the 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport?

Compared to the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, the 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport sees more reported issues in steering and airbags. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?

Compared to the 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class has more complaints in cruise control and powertrain. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

Both vehicles have 0 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $10,400 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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