In 2025, 62,629 Mercedes-Benz Cla cars had a regular MOT in Great Britain. 80% passed first time, compared with 80% for all cars of the same ages, which makes the Cla about average. Adjusted for age, it ranks 138 of the 217 most-tested car models.
That comparison matters: older cars fail more often, so a raw pass rate flatters models that are mostly young. We compare each model against every car on the road at the same age.
Pass rate by age
At 3 years old, 88% of Clas passed first time (all cars that age: 88%). By 12 years, that figure is 70% (all cars: 66%). It beats the average car at every age with enough data, from 11 to 12 years.
Mercedes-Benz Cla All cars of that age
| Age | Tests | Cla passed first time | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 6,137 | 88% | 88% | 27,268 |
| 4 years | 6,194 | 86% | 87% | 36,830 |
| 5 years | 5,089 | 83% | 86% | 43,913 |
| 6 years | 7,831 | 83% | 84% | 49,509 |
| 7 years | 8,371 | 80% | 81% | 60,240 |
| 8 years | 8,221 | 77% | 78% | 72,522 |
| 9 years | 7,570 | 76% | 75% | 81,977 |
| 10 years | 6,720 | 74% | 72% | 89,410 |
| 11 years | 4,253 | 72% | 69% | 95,020 |
| 12 years | 2,069 | 70% | 66% | 99,244 |
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz Cla
The area that lets the Cla down most, relative to other cars, is road wheels: 1.1% of tests failed on it, 8.9 times the rate for the average car. It does comparatively well on lights and electrics and suspension.
Share of Cla tests failing on this area Average car
The six most common failure items
| Failure item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| A tyre seriously damaged | Tyres | 4.4% |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | Tyres | 3.3% |
| A tyre cords visible or damaged | Tyres | 2.8% |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | Suspension | 2.6% |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | Suspension | 2.4% |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lights and electrics | 2.2% |
What to check when buying a used Cla
Based on where the Cla fails more often than other cars, these are the checks worth making before you buy:
- Road wheels: Look for damaged rims and missing wheel nuts. More
- Seat belts and airbags: Pull every belt out fully and let it retract, check the buckles latch, and make sure the airbag light goes out after starting. More
- Tyres: Check tread across the whole width (uneven wear hints at alignment or suspension faults), and look for cuts, bulges and mismatched brands. Repair guide
Then check the individual car: its own MOT history will show whether it follows the pattern. A car with repeated advisories in the same weak area is more likely to fail its next test.
Check a specific Cla
Enter the registration to see its full MOT history, mileage record and reliability score, compared with these figures.
Check a ClaFrequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for a Mercedes-Benz Cla?
In 2025, 80% of Mercedes-Benz Cla cars passed their MOT first time, across 62,629 tests. Cars of the same ages averaged 80%.
What do Mercedes-Benz Cla cars most often fail their MOT on?
The most common failure items were: a tyre seriously damaged (4.4% of tests); tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (3.3% of tests); a tyre cords visible or damaged (2.8% of tests).
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (74%), Mercedes-Benz A-Class (77%), Mercedes-Benz E-Class (77%), Mercedes-Benz Vito (67%), Mercedes-Benz B-Class (72%), Mercedes-Benz Glc (85%). All Mercedes-Benz models
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 (class 4 normal tests; first-time pass means passed with no faults fixed at the test). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.