1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK · 1,070 MOT tests
1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK reliability
1998 Mercedes-Benz CLKs fail 35.9% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 12 CLK years (1,070 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz CLKs: 36.7%)
- 35.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz CLKs: 36.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 96,792
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,070
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1999 cars: 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: tyres, 6.6% of tests fail here (57% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 43% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20.3%
- Brakes9.9%
- Suspension8.9%
- Tyres6.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.6%
- Body, chassis and structure5.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 3.74%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.99%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Stop lamp not working 2.8%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 2.43%
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 2.06%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.96%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (14.21%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.71%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (9.16%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.66%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.57%) · Wheel bearing slight play (5.98%)
Other years
Every Mercedes-Benz CLK year
The full picture: Mercedes-Benz CLK reliability. Before you pay for any Mercedes-Benz CLK, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK reliable?
1998 Mercedes-Benz CLKs fail 35.9% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 12 CLK years (1,070 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (3.74% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (2.99% of tests), stop lamp not working (2.8% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK shows 96,792 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
Check a 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.