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Mercedes-Benz CL C215 (1999-2005) reliability

Not enough data

Mercedes-Benz CL C215 built around 2003: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Mercedes-Benz CL C215 models built around 2003 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CL C215?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

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

1999-2005CoupePETROL

Based on 1,485 tests of CL models registered 1999-2005.

C215 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
9114.3%
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
6918.8%

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.

How the CL C215 compares

At each age below, see how the CL C215 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 14,961 tests across 10 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2003 (22 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
9114.3%
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
6918.8%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the CL C215.

  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 C215 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 C215 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 C215.

    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.

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

4 of the 6 CL C215 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 recalls

Top concerns

  • Faulty control unit may cause vehicle to perform outside specification
  • Potential leak of brake line
  • Instrument cluster may not illuminate.

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

How CL C215 cars have aged

How CL C215 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1618202224Age at MOTBuilt around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 21.4% (168 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 17.8% (146 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 20.7% (140 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 20.3% (123 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 17.1% (111 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 17.2% (169 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 14.7% (143 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 17.8% (135 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 18.6% (118 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 14.4% (111 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 23.3% (330 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 21.1% (279 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (229 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 18.4% (217 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 14.6% (185 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (371 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 19.1% (278 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 20.9% (278 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 21.6% (264 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 21.4% (224 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (187 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (164 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 19.4% (144 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (129 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 21.1% (109 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (159 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (120 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 16.5% (91 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (89 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 16.7% (60 tests, 2025 data)2000
First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003First registered around 2002
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz CL models of this age

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz CL built around 2003, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the C215 on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CL C215?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2003 (22 years old), the Mercedes-Benz CL C215 (1999-2005) 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.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 1,485 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz CL models first registered between 1999-2005. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.