2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK · 12,337 MOT tests
2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK reliability
2003 Mercedes-Benz CLKs fail 36.1% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 12 CLK years (12,337 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz CLKs: 36.7%)
- 36.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz CLKs: 36.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 16% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 103,518
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 12,337
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1.3% of tests fail here (177% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 69% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK
Fail rate by area
- Suspension17.1%
- Lights and electrics15%
- Brakes10%
- Tyres6.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.5%
- Seat belts and airbags3.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.77%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.63%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.64%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 3.05%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.34%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.21%
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 (16.6%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.44%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (7.45%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.01%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (6.33%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.25%)
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 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK reliable?
2003 Mercedes-Benz CLKs fail 36.1% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 12 CLK years (12,337 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (5.77% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (4.63% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.64% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK shows 103,518 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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