Mercedes-Benz CLK: what fails at MOT
32,000 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz CLK in 2024, counted. 35.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
36% of Mercedes-Benz CLK tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 41.7%, so the CLK does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (12.6% of tests), lights and electrics (8.4% of tests) and brakes (6.5% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 4,483 | 34.2% | 39.8% | 91,200 70,200 to 116,900 |
| 2008 | 4,041 | 36.5% | 41.5% | 99,100 74,400 to 126,100 |
| 2007 | 5,780 | 35.9% | 41.5% | 102,600 77,000 to 130,100 |
| 2006 | 5,131 | 36.5% | 42.4% | 102,700 77,200 to 129,700 |
| 2005 | 6,252 | 36.3% | 42.2% | 103,800 80,200 to 131,200 |
| 2004 | 6,317 | 36.2% | 42.3% | 102,200 80,300 to 127,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Mercedes-Benz CLK tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | CLK | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12.6% | 11.2% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 8.4% | 13.8% |
| Brakes | 6.5% | 8.4% |
| Tyres | 4.9% | 4.7% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 3.3% | 4.7% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 3.2% | 4.4% |
| Steering | 2.0% | 2.6% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.5% | 1.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Ball joint5.5%
- Coil spring4.2%
- Headlamp aim3.3%
- Tyre3.3%
- Headlamp2.3%
- Engine warning light2.1%
- Brake test2.1%
- Tyre tread2.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.0%
- Washers1.8%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Ball joint: excessively worn5.2%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken4.1%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.2%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.6%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded1.4%
- Side light: not working1.4%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.8%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material11.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement6.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.6%
- Ball joint: has slight play5.1%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.4%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Mercedes-Benz CLK's own MOT record
Looking at a CLK? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.