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Mercedes-Benz CLC reliability by build year

Coverage 2008-20111 named generationCoupePETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Mercedes-Benz CLC built around 2010: fails its MOT more often than average

Mercedes-Benz CLC models built around 2010 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Mercedes-Benz CLC by number plate

Key figure

32% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz CLC models built around 2010 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz CLC models built around 2010 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mercedes-Benz CLC'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 pipes and hoses

High priority

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

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.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

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 CLC's generation

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

CLC CL203

CL203 (2008-2011)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

31.6% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 2,245 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 CLC.

See every build year for the Mercedes-Benz CLC

By age

Mercedes-Benz CLC fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mercedes-Benz CLC 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
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
11131.5%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,24531.6%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
3,87432.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
3,85231.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
95831.2%

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 15 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 15-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLC models

These issues come from 15-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLC models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    32.9%
    Advisory: 1,488Fail: 626 (30% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    24.1%
    Advisory: 1,249Fail: 137 (10% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    19.2%
    Advisory: 1,121Fail: 81 (7% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.3%
    Advisory: 410Fail: 147 (26% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    9.9%
    Advisory: 395Fail: 41 (9% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,874 MOT tests on 15-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLC models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 15-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLC 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 + Suspension41%
  2. Suspension + Tyres36%
  3. Brakes + Tyres29%
  4. Lighting + Suspension26%

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

Across 2,302 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz CLC cars built around 2010 (15 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 CLC.

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

4 recalls in all

2 of the 4 Mercedes-Benz CLC recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 recalls

Top concerns

  • The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame might not meet specifications
  • On affected vehicles the bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame might not meet specifications. In c

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
    8.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.9%
    Dangerous
    2.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 8.8%, against 32.4% for the Mercedes-Benz CLC, both built around 2010.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,790 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  2. 2

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.8%
    Dangerous
    5.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 22.7%, against 32.4% for the Mercedes-Benz CLC, both built around 2010.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    7,970 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  3. 3

    Audi A5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.2%
    Dangerous
    7.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    87.6%

    Lower fail rate: 23.6%, against 32.4% for the Mercedes-Benz CLC, both built around 2010.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,373 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Scirocco

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.9%
    Dangerous
    8.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 29.3%, against 32.4% for the Mercedes-Benz CLC, both built around 2010.

    7,365 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

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 2010 (15 years old), the Mercedes-Benz CLC across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 3,874 15-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 CLC ever sold: 11,040 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2010 (15 years old): 3,874 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.