Executive car · 2000–2021 cars
Mercedes-Benz CLS reliability
The Mercedes-Benz CLS fails 24% of first MOT tests, 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 87,218 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mercedes-Benz CLS before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 24%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 24% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 87,218
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mercedes-Benz CLS ages
Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz CLSs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mercedes-Benz CLS | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14.4% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 15.7% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 15.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 18.8% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 18.7% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 19.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 22.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 23.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 23.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 28.2% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 32.5% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 34.4% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 32.6% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 32.4% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 28.9% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 27.8% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 27.9% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Mercedes-Benz CLS years
2011 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 522 | 17% | 34% more fails | 28,746 |
| 2019 CLS | 3,340 | 15.5% | 9% more fails | 34,042 |
| 2018 CLS | 3,634 | 14.7% | 5% fewer fails | 38,907 |
| 2017 CLS | 5,557 | 17.4% | 7% fewer fails | 49,022 |
| 2016 CLS | 7,853 | 17.2% | 22% fewer fails | 60,535 |
| 2015 CLS | 11,035 | 18.6% | 28% fewer fails | 71,279 |
| 2014 CLS | 6,676 | 22% | 24% fewer fails | 76,927 |
| 2013 CLS | 11,528 | 23.7% | 27% fewer fails | 87,736 |
| 2012 CLS | 4,135 | 23.3% | 32% fewer fails | 89,607 |
| 2011 CLS | 4,175 | 23.5% | 36% fewer fails | 93,415 |
| 2010 CLS | 3,875 | 33.1% | 17% fewer fails | 103,990 |
| 2009 CLS | 3,979 | 35.5% | 15% fewer fails | 108,251 |
| 2008 CLS | 4,819 | 34.6% | 20% fewer fails | 116,395 |
| 2007 CLS | 6,478 | 33% | 25% fewer fails | 117,419 |
| 2006 CLS | 5,667 | 29.3% | 34% fewer fails | 117,368 |
| 2005 CLS | 3,723 | 28.2% | 35% fewer fails | 104,649 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz CLS
Its weak spot is wheels: 185% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres9.4%35% above avg
- Suspension7.2%33% below avg
- Brakes5.9%24% below avg
- Lights and electrics5%62% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.9%21% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.9%62% below avg
- Wheels1.3%185% above avg
- Steering1.2%48% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.9%78% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.61% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.5% 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 2.13% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.92% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 5
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 1.72% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 6
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.61% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 7
Tyre bulge from structural failure 1.12% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
- 8
Diesel engine warning light faulty 0.94% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz CLS's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.89%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy9.73%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.06%
- Brake disc pitted or scored5.67%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive3.82%
- Wheel bearing slight play3.48%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz CLS
- 1
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 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
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 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 CLS covers about 8,900 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
- Diesel87.5%
- Petrol12%
- Hybrid0.5%
- LPG0%
- Electric0%
- Other0%
Most common colours
Black, Silver, Grey, White, Blue
Average engine size: 2.9 litres.
Compare
How the Mercedes-Benz CLS compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi A7 | 13.9% | 48% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW 6 Series | 18.6% | 40% 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 |
| Volvo S60 | 29% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK | 36.7% | 13% 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 CLS questions, answered
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLS reliable?
On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz CLS is better than average: it fails 24% of first MOT tests, 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 24 of 40 executive car models in our index.
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz CLS are tyre ply or cords exposed (2.61% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.5% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.13% of tests). By area, tyres fails 9.4% of its tests.
Which Mercedes-Benz CLS year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2011 cars do best (36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (9% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz CLS do a year?
A typical Mercedes-Benz CLS covers about 8,900 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 CLS 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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