2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK · 15,829 MOT tests
2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK reliability
2004 Mercedes-Benz CLKs fail 38% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 12 CLK years (15,829 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz CLKs: 36.7%)
- 38%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz CLKs: 36.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 102,023
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 15,829
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- 2005 cars: 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1% of tests fail here (107% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 74% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK
Fail rate by area
- Suspension19.7%
- Lights and electrics16%
- Brakes10.1%
- Tyres7.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.7%
- Steering4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.36%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 5.98%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.23%
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 2.93%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.46%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.41%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (15.08%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.68%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (7.33%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.85%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.39%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (6.18%)
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 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK reliable?
2004 Mercedes-Benz CLKs fail 38% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 12 CLK years (15,829 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (6.36% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (5.98% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.23% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK shows 102,023 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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