Mercedes-Benz Cl 500
From 3,604 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a tyre seriously damaged, a direction indicator lamp missing and inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 94 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 94 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 49 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 46 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 46 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 44 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 43 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 43 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 41 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 35 |
| warning device shows system malfunction | 34 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 46.1% of Cl 500 failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 9.1% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £112.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 86.6% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 2010 | 87.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, warning device shows system malfunction |
| 2009 | 84% | a tyre seriously damaged, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2008 | 83.8% | number plate showing an incorrect registration, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
7 earlier years
| 2007 | 85.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2005 | 81.2% | number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2004 | 83.4% | a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2003 | 80.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play |
| 2002 | 78.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2001 | 89.4% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2000 | 77.1% | emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all Cl 500s tested had between 68,403 and 105,156 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 88,720 median miles, the Cl 500 has 0.019 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 has a 83.1% MOT pass rate based on 3,604 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz Cl 500?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 94 failures. Other common issues include a tyre seriously damaged.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 is 88,720 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 68,403 and 105,156 miles.
Buying a used Cl 500?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 83.1% pass rate and an average repair bill of £112 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.