Mercedes-Benz Cl: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Mercedes-Benz Cl passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 3.9 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 1,359 individual Mercedes-Benz Cl tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate80.6%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+3.9 points
Tests analysed1,359
Average mileage at test86,330 miles
Average year of manufacture2007
Reliability rank1,418 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 80.6% first-time pass rate means roughly 19 in every 100 Mercedes-Benz Cls presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average Mercedes-Benz Cl tested had covered 86,330 miles and was built around 2007.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The Mercedes-Benz Cl sits 3.9 points above the national average, ranked 1,418 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Mercedes-Benz Cl rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged Mercedes-Benz Cls at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz Cl

  1. Warning device shows system malfunction, 1.5% of tests (3.56x the national rate for this defect)
  2. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 2.1% of tests (2x the national rate for this defect)
  3. A tyre seriously damaged, 4.3% of tests (1.56x the national rate for this defect)
  4. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1.2% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect)
  5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 2.8% of tests
  6. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.8% of tests
  7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1.8% of tests
  8. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.5% of tests
  9. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 1.5% of tests
  10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.3% of tests

From 1,357 DVSA-tracked Mercedes-Benz Cl tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 5.37% of these flagged Mercedes-Benz Cl defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a Mercedes-Benz Cl

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a Mercedes-Benz Cl before it actually fails on it.

  1. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 3.6% of tests (5.56x the national rate for this advisory)
  2. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 3% of tests (5.39x the national rate for this advisory)
  3. A shock absorber bush excessively worn, 1.9% of tests (4.02x the national rate for this advisory)
  4. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 17.2% of tests (2.77x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  5. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 2.9% of tests (2.26x the national rate for this advisory)
  6. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 2.3% of tests (1.84x the national rate for this advisory)
  7. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 6.7% of tests (1.71x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  8. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.5% of tests (1.65x the national rate for this advisory)
  9. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 6.7% of tests (1.21x the national rate for this advisory)
  10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 14.6% of tests (1.19x the national rate for this advisory)

From 1,357 DVSA-tracked Mercedes-Benz Cl tests, 2024.

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Mercedes-Benz Cl MOT pass rate badge: 80.6%

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Mercedes-Benz Cl most common MOT failure: Warning device shows system malfunction (1.5% of tests)

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate