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Mercedes-Benz CLA reliability by build year

Coverage 2013-present2 named generationsSaloonHYBRID ELECTRIC / PETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Mercedes-Benz CLA built around 2018: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Mercedes-Benz CLA models built around 2018 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Mercedes-Benz CLA by number plate

Key figure

7% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz CLA models built around 2018 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 5% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz CLA models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

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.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your CLA's generation

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

CLA C118/X118

C118/X118 (2019-present)

Average
DIESELHYBRID ELECTRICPETROL

13.9% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 8,369 MOT tests at this ageView details →
CLA C117/X117

C117/X117 (2013-2018)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

19.5% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 3,923 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 CLA.

See every build year for the Mercedes-Benz CLA

Side-by-side

Mercedes-Benz CLA 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
C118/X118 (2019-present)
Average
Average13.9%built around 2020 (5 years old)from 8,369 MOT tests at this age
C117/X117 (2013-2018)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings19.5%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 3,923 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the CLA, 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 CLA fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mercedes-Benz CLA 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
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
12,24511.5%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
10,57112.9%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
8,36913.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
10,14615.6%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
10,36917.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
9,65019.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
9,41420.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
7,32221.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
4,45022.5%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,13624.2%

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 12 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Mercedes-Benz CLA stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Mercedes-Benz models

14th of 15

14th lowest fail rate of 15 Mercedes-Benz models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other saloons

26th of 29

26th lowest fail rate of 29 saloons with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

17.7%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLA models

These issues come from 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLA models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    21.1%
    Advisory: 2,988Fail: 272 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.1%
    Advisory: 1,273Fail: 470 (27% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.4%
    Advisory: 1,178Fail: 151 (11% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    10.2%
    Advisory: 1,510Fail: 37 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    5.3%
    Advisory: 714Fail: 63 (8% of the times it was found)

Based on 10,369 MOT tests on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLA models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLA models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres43%
  2. Other + Tyres20%
  3. Brakes + Other14%
  4. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers13%

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

Across 2,703 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz CLA cars built around 2018 (7 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

88%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

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.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

82 recalls in all

58 of the 82 Mercedes-Benz CLA recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 8 Critical
  • 50 more

Top concerns

  • Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded
  • Steering components may be insufficiently grounded
  • Left window airbag may not deploy as intended

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

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen Passat

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    83.2%

    Lower fail rate: 14.9%, against 17.7% for the Mercedes-Benz CLA, both built around 2018.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    14,646 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Toyota Avensis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.9%
    Dangerous
    4.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    72.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.7%, against 17.7% for the Mercedes-Benz CLA, both built around 2018.

    2,026 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Kia Optima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    7.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.9%

    Lower fail rate: 15.5%, against 17.7% for the Mercedes-Benz CLA, both built around 2018.

    3,355 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Hyundai i40

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3%
    Dangerous
    5.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    75.2%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 5.9%, against 7.5% for the Mercedes-Benz CLA.

    2,244 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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 2018 (7 years old), the Mercedes-Benz CLA across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 14th lowest fail rate of 15 Mercedes-Benz models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 10,369 7-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 CLA ever sold: 83,672 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 10,369 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.