Mercedes-Benz CLA C118/X118 (2019-present) reliability
Mercedes-Benz CLA C118/X118 built around 2020: more dangerous faults than average
Testers find a dangerous fault on Mercedes-Benz CLA C118/X118 models built around 2020 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.
Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CLA C118/X118?
Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.
Key figure
6% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz CLA C118/X118 models built around 2020 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 C118/X118 models built around 2020 involves the tyres.
Based on 37,203 tests of CLA models registered 2019+.
About 1 in 8 petrol CLA cars registered in 2022 (12.3%) failed their first MOT.
Based on 6,777 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).
About 1 in 50 CLA C118/X118 MOTs (2.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2020 (5 years old), all fuels combined.
Based on 8,369 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.
About 1 in 15 CLA C118/X118 MOTs (6.4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2020 (5 years old).
Based on 8,369 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.
C118/X118 fail rate by age
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 6 years old.
How the CLA C118/X118 compares
At each age below, see how the CLA C118/X118 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.
Based on 124,145 tests across 22 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2020 (5 years old).
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.
Independent inspection
High priorityHave an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.
Brake pads
High priorityAsk when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.
Brake discs
High priorityAsk for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.
Tyres
Worth checkingCheck tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.
Vehicle-specific check
Worth checkingCheck the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.
Other saloons to compare
Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the CLA C118/X118.
- 1
Volkswagen Passat
Same body type, tested at the same age
- Fail rate
- 11.1%
- Fail, no pass in 3 days
- 1.4%
- Dangerous
- 4.5%
- Still registered at 10 years
- 83.2%
Lower fail rate: 11.1%, against 13.9% for the Mercedes-Benz CLA C118/X118, both built around 2020.
10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.
6,717 MOT tests on cars built around 2020
- 2
Dacia Logan
Same body type, tested at the same age
- Fail rate
- 19%
- Fail, no pass in 3 days
- 1.9%
- Dangerous
- 4.9%
- Still registered at 10 years
- 85.5%
Fewer dangerous faults: 4.9%, against 6.4% for the Mercedes-Benz CLA C118/X118.
2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.
1,517 MOT tests on cars built around 2020
- 3
Peugeot 508
Same body type, tested at the same age
- Fail rate
- 17.2%
- Fail, no pass in 3 days
- 3.5%
- Dangerous
- 8%
- Still registered at 10 years
- 81%
No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz CLA C118/X118 on these figures.
6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.
2,517 MOT tests on cars built around 2020
- 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.
Recall context
82 recalls in all33 of the 82 CLA C118/X118 recalls cover cars built in these years.
- 33 recalls
Top concerns
- SRPC2610 - eCall function
- SRPC2612 – front seat belt fitting
- SRPC-2608 electric drive unit power electronics
For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.
What has gone wrong on CLA C118/X118 cars built around 2020
The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 263 cars.
Fail rate by engine size, built around 2020 (5 years old)
Engine sizes across all petrol CLA tests (not specific to C118/X118).
How CLA C118/X118 cars have aged
How CLA C118/X118 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.
Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.
How each part holds up as C118/X118 cars age
How each part holds up as C118/X118 cars age
The share of diesel cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.
| Part of the car | 6 years | 7 years | 8 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 5% | 7% | 14% |
| Brakes | 9% | 8% | 16% |
| Emissions | 7% | 5% | 9% |
| Tyres | 25% | 35% | 42% |
| Lighting | No figure | 4% | 7% |
| Steering | No figure | No figure | 1% |
| Corrosion | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Based on diesel cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 57 to 410 cars at each age.
C118/X118 variants compared
CLA C118/X118 variants built around 2020
The fail rate for each CLA C118/X118 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.
Petrol
- CLA14.2%6,370 tests
Diesel
- CLA 220 AMG LINE PREMIUM + D A13.3%685 tests
- CLA 220 AMG LINE PREMIUM D A11.6%311 tests
- CLA13.7%211 tests
Hybrid electric
- CLA 250 AMG LINE PREMIUM E A13.3%384 tests
Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz CLA models of this age
This list covers every Mercedes-Benz CLA built around 2020, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the C118/X118 on its own.
Most common advisories and fails
In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one
- 120.7%Advisory
Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge
- 212.1%Advisory
Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing
- 311.0%Advisory
Brake pads wearing thin
- 45.9%Advisory
Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
- 54.8%Advisory
Brake disc worn, but not excessively
Based on 8,369 tests
Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CLA C118/X118?
Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.
Frequently asked questions
Built around 2020 (5 years old), the Mercedes-Benz CLA C118/X118 (2019-present) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 8,369 5-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.