Executive car · 1999–2019 cars
Mercedes-Benz CLC reliability
The Mercedes-Benz CLC fails 42.8% of first MOT tests, 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 31,460 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mercedes-Benz CLC before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 42.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 7% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 31,460
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mercedes-Benz CLC ages
Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz CLCs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mercedes-Benz CLC | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 41.7% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 42.6% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 43.8% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 42.2% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 42.6% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 45.1% | 42.9% |
By year
The best and worst Mercedes-Benz CLC years
2008 cars come out best and 2011 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
Common problems
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz CLC
Its weak spot is wheels: 192% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension24.4%56% above avg
- Lights and electrics16.5%10% below avg
- Brakes10.8%8% above avg
- Tyres9.4%27% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.2%17% above avg
- Steering4%28% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.8%27% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure2.3%62% below avg
- Wheels1.6%192% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 9.59% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 7.59% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.96% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 2.92% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
- 5
Position lamp not working 2.77% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 2.72% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 7
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.66% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.52% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz CLC's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit16.36%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy13.69%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.55%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear6.47%
- Suspension ball joint slight play6.36%
- Wheel bearing slight play5.49%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz CLC
- 1
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
- 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 CLC covers about 7,100 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
- Petrol63.5%
- Diesel36.5%
- LPG0%
- Hybrid0%
Most common colours
Black, Silver, Grey, White, Blue
Average engine size: 1.9 litres.
Compare
How the Mercedes-Benz CLC compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus GS | 19.4% | 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S90 | 11.7% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S80 | 30.5% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Tesla Model S | 16.8% | 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V90 | 14.4% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar S-Type | 37.2% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz CLC | 42.8% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Mercedes-Benz models.
Questions
Mercedes-Benz CLC questions, answered
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLC reliable?
On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz CLC is about average: it fails 42.8% of first MOT tests, 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 40 of 40 executive car models in our index.
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz CLC are suspension ball joint excessively worn (9.59% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (7.59% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.96% of tests). By area, suspension fails 24.4% of its tests.
Which Mercedes-Benz CLC year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2008 cars do best (6% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2011 cars do worst (11% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz CLC do a year?
A typical Mercedes-Benz CLC covers about 7,100 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 CLC 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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