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Mercedes-Benz CLK reliability by build year

Coverage 2002-20101 named generationCoupeDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Mercedes-Benz CLK built around 2004: about average at the MOT

Mercedes-Benz CLK models built around 2004 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Mercedes-Benz CLK by number plate

Key figure

28% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz CLK models built around 2004 ended in a fail (retests included), against 26% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz CLK models built around 2004 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mercedes-Benz CLK'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.

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

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension 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

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 CLK's generation

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

CLK C209/A209

C209/A209 (2002-2010)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

30.3% fail rate, built around 2010 (15 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 30.1%)

From 1,206 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 CLK.

See every build year for the Mercedes-Benz CLK

By age

Mercedes-Benz CLK fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mercedes-Benz CLK 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
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
1,20630.3%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
4,00829.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
4,00929.8%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
4,16928.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
4,19128.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
4,14728.5%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
4,30627.6%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,28125.9%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,56826.1%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
1,26024.3%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,72524.8%

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 15 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 21-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLK models

These issues come from 21-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLK 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

    24.3%
    Advisory: 1,286Fail: 440 (25% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    20.4%
    Advisory: 1,426Fail: 89 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    19.8%
    Advisory: 1,201Fail: 94 (7% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    15.2%
    Advisory: 892Fail: 5 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    15.1%
    Advisory: 672Fail: 6 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,306 MOT tests on 21-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLK models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 21-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLK 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 + Suspension43%
  2. Lighting + Suspension30%
  3. Brakes + Lighting29%
  4. Suspension + Tyres29%

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

Across 2,594 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz CLK cars built around 2004 (21 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 CLK.

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

5 recalls in all

3 of the 5 Mercedes-Benz CLK recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame might not meet specifications.
  • Engine could lose power.
  • Engine emergency shut off on board diagnosis or tank/speedo signal may be affected

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
    15.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 15.2%, against 27.6% for the Mercedes-Benz CLK, both built around 2004.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,698 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

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

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    5,487 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    Toyota Celica

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    13.4%
    Dangerous
    7%

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

    1,605 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

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 2004 (21 years old), the Mercedes-Benz CLK across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,306 21-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 CLK ever sold: 32,870 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2004 (21 years old): 4,306 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.