In 2025, 24,999 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class cars had a regular MOT in Great Britain. 63% passed first time, compared with 59% for all cars of the same ages, which makes the CLK-Class better than average. Adjusted for age, it ranks 61 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 16 years old, 60% of CLK-Classs passed first time (all cars that age: 58%). By 20 years, that figure is 62% (all cars: 58%). It beats the average car at every age with enough data, from 17 to 20 years.
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class All cars of that age
| Age | Tests | CLK-Class passed first time | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 years | 2,745 | 60% | 58% | 100,361 |
| 17 years | 2,437 | 61% | 57% | 104,702 |
| 18 years | 3,383 | 60% | 57% | 106,667 |
| 19 years | 2,811 | 62% | 57% | 106,497 |
| 20 years | 3,410 | 62% | 58% | 105,702 |
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
The area that lets the CLK-Class down most, relative to other cars, is suspension: 29.6% of tests failed on it, 2.2 times the rate for the average car. It does comparatively well on body and structure.
Share of CLK-Class tests failing on this area Average car
The six most common failure items
| Failure item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | Suspension | 14.8% |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lights and electrics | 7.7% |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | Suspension | 7.1% |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | Suspension | 5.0% |
| A tyre seriously damaged | Tyres | 3.9% |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | Tyres | 3.5% |
What to check when buying a used CLK-Class
Based on where the CLK-Class fails more often than other cars, these are the checks worth making before you buy:
- Suspension: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, look for leaking shock absorbers, and check the car sits level. Ask whether springs, bushes or drop links have been replaced. Repair guide
- Emissions and leaks: Look for oil and coolant leaks underneath, listen for exhaust blows on a cold start, and watch for smoke when revving. Repair guide
- Brakes: Look through the wheels for lipped or scored discs, check the handbrake holds on a slope, and feel for pulling or vibration under firm braking. 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 CLK-Class
Enter the registration to see its full MOT history, mileage record and reliability score, compared with these figures.
Check a CLK-ClassFrequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for a Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class?
In 2025, 63% of Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 24,999 tests. Cars of the same ages averaged 59%.
What do Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class cars most often fail their MOT on?
The most common failure items were: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn (14.8% of tests); the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (7.7% of tests); a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened (7.1% 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.