Mercedes-Benz CLS: what fails at MOT
37,000 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz CLS in 2024, counted. 22.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
22.2% of Mercedes-Benz CLS tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 29.1%, so the CLS does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (5.4% of tests), suspension (4.1% of tests) and brakes (3.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 529 | 14.6% | 10.9% | 23,600 18,400 to 31,300 |
| 2020 | 440 | 16.8% | 11.5% | 31,400 21,800 to 43,000 |
| 2019 | 1,721 | 14.4% | 13.4% | 40,200 29,400 to 53,600 |
| 2018 | 1,596 | 14.5% | 15.6% | 43,400 33,400 to 58,800 |
| 2017 | 2,506 | 18.8% | 18.2% | 57,500 42,100 to 76,500 |
| 2016 | 3,539 | 16.1% | 21.3% | 67,400 51,800 to 85,000 |
| 2015 | 5,075 | 17.9% | 24.4% | 78,300 61,100 to 98,700 |
| 2014 | 2,936 | 19.9% | 27.7% | 83,400 64,900 to 106,000 |
| 2013 | 5,134 | 21.7% | 30.6% | 92,400 71,500 to 117,800 |
| 2012 | 1,758 | 21.4% | 33.4% | 92,300 71,300 to 116,200 |
| 2011 | 1,596 | 22.8% | 36.1% | 94,700 72,800 to 120,100 |
| 2010 | 1,432 | 31.5% | 38.6% | 105,900 87,100 to 134,200 |
| 2009 | 1,428 | 35.6% | 39.8% | 113,400 92,600 to 138,000 |
| 2008 | 1,593 | 36.0% | 41.5% | 119,900 97,200 to 145,100 |
| 2007 | 2,249 | 32.5% | 41.5% | 120,200 97,000 to 146,200 |
| 2006 | 2,041 | 26.2% | 42.4% | 117,500 89,600 to 142,000 |
| 2005 | 1,469 | 27.7% | 42.2% | 105,800 82,900 to 128,200 |
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 CLS tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | CLS | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Suspension Less than most | 4.1% | 6.8% |
| Brakes Less than most | 3.2% | 4.9% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 2.7% | 8.2% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.7% | 2.3% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.0% | 3.2% |
| Wheels | 0.9% | 0.3% |
| Steering Less than most | 0.6% | 1.5% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre4.6%
- Coil spring1.6%
- Tyre tread1.5%
- Ball joint1.3%
- Brake pipes1.3%
- Engine warning light1.2%
- Headlamp aim1.1%
- Brake pads0.7%
- Washers0.6%
- Headlamp0.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.7%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.2%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.2%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded1.2%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.7%
- Tyre: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.6%
- Wheel: fractured0.6%
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 edge10.4%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material6.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.9%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.7%
- Wheel bearings: has slight play2.3%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.2%
- Ball joint: has slight play2.0%
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
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Mercedes-Benz CLS's own MOT record
Looking at a CLS? 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.