Second Hand Mercedes-Benz GLS Starter Motor

The GLS has run across two main generations: the first-generation X166, produced from 2016 to 2019, and the second-generation X167, which launched in 2019 and is still current — these are built on different platforms with different engine families, so a starter motor from the X166 generation is very unlikely to cross over to an X167. Within each generation there were also mid-cycle updates, and ancillary mounting details can change, so always confirm compatibility with the breaker against your exact registration. Your engine code, found on your V5 or via a VIN check, is the most important detail to supply.

These are different diesel engines — the 350d used a 3.0-litre straight-six unit (engine code OM642 on the X166 generation) while the 400d uses a newer 3.0-litre inline-six (OM656 on the X167), so the starter motors are specific to each engine family and are not interchangeable. Even within the same engine designation, build-year variations can affect ancillary fitment, so share your full engine code with the breaker rather than relying on the badge alone. Never assume a match based on displacement or marketing name.

This is a genuinely important question — the GLS 450 and GLS 580 sold in the UK on the X167 platform use a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with an integrated starter-generator (ISG) rather than a conventional standalone starter motor, meaning a traditional starter motor as a separate bolt-on part does not exist on those variants. If your GLS is one of these mild-hybrid petrol models and you are having starting issues, the component you likely need is the integrated starter-generator or a related part of that system, which you should describe to the breaker clearly. Diesel variants of the GLS do use a conventional starter motor, so confirm your exact engine and fuel type before requesting quotes.

Trim level makes no difference to starter motor fitment — AMG Line, AMG Line Premium, and standard GLS trims are cosmetic and equipment packages that do not change the engine or its ancillaries. What matters is your engine code and fuel type, not the badge or interior specification. Tell the breaker your engine code and registration and they can source the correct unit regardless of which trim your vehicle is.

A 2017 GLS sits in the first-generation X166 range, while a 2019 GLS could be either a late X166 or an early X167 depending on exact build date, so you are potentially crossing a generation boundary where engine families differ. Even if both vehicles share the same engine designation, confirm with the breaker against both registrations before buying, as ancillary fitment details can change across that boundary. Your engine code is the most reliable starting point for this conversation.

The single most useful piece of information is your engine code, which you can find on your V5C registration document or via a VIN check — this tells the breaker exactly which engine variant you have, which is far more reliable than the model name or badge. You should also confirm your fuel type (diesel variants use a conventional starter motor, while certain petrol mild-hybrid variants use an integrated starter-generator instead), your registration plate, and your approximate model year. The more precise you are upfront, the more confident a breaker can be when quoting you a compatible used part.