Executive car · 1997–2016 cars
Mercedes-Benz CLK reliability
The Mercedes-Benz CLK fails 36.7% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 113,867 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mercedes-Benz CLK before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 36.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 113,867
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mercedes-Benz CLK ages
Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz CLKs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mercedes-Benz CLK | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 37.1% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 38.8% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 37.4% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 37.8% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 38.2% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 37.7% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 38.4% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 37.5% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 34.9% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 33.4% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 32.3% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 30.5% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 31.9% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 37.2% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Mercedes-Benz CLK years
2000 cars come out best and 1998 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 243 | 33.3% | 9% fewer fails | 83,846 |
| 2009 CLK | 10,716 | 37.1% | 7% fewer fails | 90,028 |
| 2008 CLK | 9,816 | 37.2% | 10% fewer fails | 97,400 |
| 2007 CLK | 14,157 | 38% | 10% fewer fails | 100,563 |
| 2006 CLK | 12,685 | 38% | 11% fewer fails | 102,190 |
| 2005 CLK | 15,766 | 38.1% | 12% fewer fails | 103,586 |
| 2004 CLK | 15,829 | 38% | 13% fewer fails | 102,023 |
| 2003 CLK | 12,337 | 36.1% | 16% fewer fails | 103,518 |
| 2002 CLK | 6,831 | 34.8% | 18% fewer fails | 104,214 |
| 2001 CLK | 5,499 | 32.9% | 20% fewer fails | 101,467 |
| 2000 CLK | 4,567 | 30% | 25% fewer fails | 101,523 |
| 1999 CLK | 4,162 | 33.2% | 13% fewer fails | 103,209 |
| 1998 CLK | 1,070 | 35.9% | 2% fewer fails | 96,792 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz CLK
Its weak spot is wheels: 100% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension17.8%9% above avg
- Lights and electrics14%31% below avg
- Brakes10.1%20% below avg
- Tyres7.6%12% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.2%28% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.9%28% below avg
- Steering2.9%23% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure2.6%69% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.5%7% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 5.63% 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 5.58% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.02% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.51% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 2.17% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 6
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.1% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 7
Position lamp not working 2.01% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 8
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 1.89% 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 CLK's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy16.12%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.43%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.34%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.02%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive5.98%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.8%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz CLK
- 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
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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 CLK covers about 7,200 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
- Petrol80.5%
- Diesel19.4%
- LPG0.1%
- Other0%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Blue, Red, Grey
Average engine size: 2.7 litres.
Compare
How the Mercedes-Benz CLK compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 6 Series | 18.6% | 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus IS | 22.6% | 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz CLS | 24% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V60 | 21.6% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK | 36.7% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V70 | 36.2% | 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar X-Type | 41.8% | about average for its age |
Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Mercedes-Benz models.
Questions
Mercedes-Benz CLK questions, answered
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLK reliable?
On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz CLK is about average: it fails 36.7% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 35 of 40 executive car models in our index.
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz CLK MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz CLK are suspension ball joint excessively worn (5.63% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (5.58% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.02% of tests). By area, suspension fails 17.8% of its tests.
Which Mercedes-Benz CLK year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2000 cars do best (25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1998 cars do worst (about average for its age).
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz CLK do a year?
A typical Mercedes-Benz CLK covers about 7,200 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 CLK 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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