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Mercedes-Benz CL reliability by build year

Coverage 1999-20142 named generationsCoupePETROL

We've only got 335 MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz CL models built around 2003 (22 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Mercedes-Benz CL built around 2003: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Mercedes-Benz CL models built around 2003 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Mercedes-Benz CL by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mercedes-Benz CL's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Over the last three years, fail rates fell, then rose again. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your CL's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

CL C216

C216 (2006-2014)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROL

20.8% fail rate, built around 2014 (11 years old)

Likely between 14.7% and 28.5%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 24.8%)

From 130 MOT tests at this ageView details →
C

C215 (1999-2005)

Excellent
PETROL

18.8% fail rate, built around 2003 (22 years old)

Likely between 15.0% and 23.3%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 30.7%)

From 335 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Mercedes-Benz CL.

See every build year for the Mercedes-Benz CL

Side-by-side

Mercedes-Benz CL generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
C216 (2006-2014)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate20.8%likely between 14.7% and 28.5%built around 2014 (11 years old)from 130 MOT tests at this age
C215 (1999-2005)
Excellent
Excellent18.8%likely between 15.0% and 23.3%built around 2003 (22 years old)from 335 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the CL, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Mercedes-Benz CL fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mercedes-Benz CL ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
13020.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
12117.4%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
11221.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
14918.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
17917.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
23316.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
32516.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
29318.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
14615.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
21917.3%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
22018.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
33518.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
32821.0%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
22324.2%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
17915.6%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 24 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 22-year-old Mercedes-Benz CL models

These issues come from 22-year-old Mercedes-Benz CL models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    16.4%
    Advisory: 55Fail: 1 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    13.7%
    Advisory: 48Fail: 30 (38% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    13.7%
    Advisory: 58Fail: 7 (11% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    13.4%
    Advisory: 53Fail: 7 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    10.2%
    Advisory: 52Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 335 MOT tests on 22-year-old Mercedes-Benz CL models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 22-year-old Mercedes-Benz CL models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Suspension35%
  2. Brakes + Lighting24%
  3. Lighting + Suspension24%
  4. Other + Suspension22%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 146 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz CL cars built around 2003 (22 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Mercedes-Benz CL.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

6 recalls in all

5 of the 6 Mercedes-Benz CL recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 recalls

Top concerns

  • Faulty control unit may cause vehicle to perform outside specification
  • Front lights / indicators and console lights may fail.
  • Potential leak of brake line

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz CL on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,941 MOT tests on cars built around 2003

  2. 2

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz CL on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,953 MOT tests on cars built around 2003

  3. 3

    Toyota Celica

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    13.1%
    Dangerous
    6.4%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 6.4%, against 7.2% for the Mercedes-Benz CL.

    1,379 MOT tests on cars built around 2003

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2003 (22 years old), the Mercedes-Benz CL across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 335 22-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Mercedes-Benz CL ever sold: 3,192 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2003 (22 years old): 335 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.