Family hatchback · 2013–2021 cars
Mercedes-Benz CLA reliability
The Mercedes-Benz CLA fails 17.7% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 189,790 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mercedes-Benz CLA before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 17.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 189,790
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a sound used buy. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 17.7%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 14% fewer MOT fails, and it ranks 16 of 65 family hatchback models. Its best year is 2021, with 26% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. 2019 is about average.
Seat belts and airbags are the weak spot, with 136% more fails than comparable cars, so check them with care. Tyres feature in three of the four most common failures, and worn brake pads also appear often. On the car you're viewing, check tread below 1.6mm, exposed ply or cords, cuts reaching the ply, brake pads worn below 1.5mm, and that the seat belts and airbag warning light work properly.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mercedes-Benz CLA ages
Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz CLAs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mercedes-Benz CLA | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12.9% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 14.6% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 16.3% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 18.1% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 19.6% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 21% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 22.6% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 23.2% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 24% | 34.6% |
By year
The best and worst Mercedes-Benz CLA years
2021 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 CLA | 4,532 | 9.6% | 26% fewer fails | 31,204 |
| 2020 CLA | 13,169 | 12.2% | 9% fewer fails | 33,126 |
| 2019 CLA | 24,252 | 14.3% | 2% more fails | 34,177 |
| 2018 CLA | 31,992 | 15.4% | 4% fewer fails | 41,896 |
| 2017 CLA | 32,133 | 17.6% | 9% fewer fails | 53,825 |
| 2016 CLA | 30,432 | 19.6% | 14% fewer fails | 64,129 |
| 2015 CLA | 27,280 | 20.3% | 22% fewer fails | 72,331 |
| 2014 CLA | 17,660 | 22.1% | 25% fewer fails | 79,532 |
| 2013 CLA | 8,340 | 26% | 18% fewer fails | 84,689 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz CLA
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 136% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres8%35% above avg
- Lights and electrics3%53% below avg
- Brakes2.8%31% below avg
- Suspension2.8%37% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.7%23% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.8%14% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.1%136% above avg
- Wheels0.8%181% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.5%98% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.89% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.86% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.45% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.26% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.2% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.03% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 7
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.83% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
- 8
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 0.76% of tests
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz CLA's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit12.67%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.38%
- Brake disc pitted or scored5.1%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.81%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.54%
- Tyre has a shallow cut1.94%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz CLA
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Mercedes-Benz CLA covers about 9,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel50.6%
- Petrol48.3%
- Hybrid1%
Most common colours
Black, White, Grey, Silver, Red
Average engine size: 1.9 litres.
Compare
How the Mercedes-Benz CLA compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz CLA | 17.7% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Scirocco | 28.5% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Corolla | 32.2% | 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz B-Class | 26.5% | 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki SX4 | 28.8% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Beetle | 41.3% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 307 | 51.9% | 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Mercedes-Benz models.
Questions
Mercedes-Benz CLA questions, answered
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA reliable?
On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is about average: it fails 17.7% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 16 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz CLA MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz CLA are tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.89% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.86% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.45% of tests). By area, tyres fails 8% of its tests.
Which Mercedes-Benz CLA year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (about average for its age).
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz CLA do a year?
A typical Mercedes-Benz CLA covers about 9,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz CLA before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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