Mercedes-Benz ML OBD port location

Illustration — use it to know where to look.

Location

RHD (UK): driver's footwell, to the right of the steering column, in the underside of the lower dash trim directly above the pedals and immediately alongside the bonnet release lever. LHD: mirrored to the left of the column, above the pedals, next to the bonnet release. The position is identical on every W164 trim from ML280 CDI to ML63 AMG and does not move at the 2008 facelift. Do not go hunting at the passenger end of the dash — that cover is the cabin fuse panel, and the round 38-pin socket some older Mercedes carry in the engine bay does not exist on the W164.

How to access

Small hinged plastic flap set into the underside of the lower dash panel. Flip it down with a finger — no tools needed. On high-mileage cars the 16-pin socket very often drops out of its aperture and hangs behind the trim, so if you open the flap and see an empty hole, reach in and feel for the connector on its loom just behind the opening — it is almost always there. Two small screws hold the flap and socket carrier if you want to clip it back properly before you leave.