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Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209 (2002-2010) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209 built around 2010: fails its MOT more often than average

Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209 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.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209?

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

Key figure

30% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209 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 CLK C209/A209 models built around 2010 involves the suspension.

Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2002-2010CoupeDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 29,194 tests of CLK models registered 2002-2010.

About 1 in 9 CLK C209/A209 MOTs (11.7%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2010 (15 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,206 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 12 CLK C209/A209 MOTs (7.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2010 (15 years old).

Based on 1,206 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

C209/A209 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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
87727.1%

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.

How the CLK C209/A209 compares

At each age below, see how the CLK C209/A209 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 57,644 tests across 15 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2010 (15 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
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
87727.1%

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.

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 CLK C209/A209.

  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 30.3% for the Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209, 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 30.3% for the Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209, 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 30.3% for the Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209, 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%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209 on these figures.

    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.

Recall context

5 recalls in all

3 of the 5 CLK C209/A209 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.

How CLK C209/A209 cars have aged

How CLK C209/A209 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%121416182022Age at MOTBuilt around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 27.8% (2,995 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (2,998 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (2,932 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (2,733 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (2,558 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.0% (2,438 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (2,280 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (2,151 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (1,981 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (1,828 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (3,402 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (3,187 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (3,008 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (2,700 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (2,371 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 29.3% (3,218 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (2,905 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.0% (2,586 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (2,358 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (1,949 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (3,864 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (3,411 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 28.2% (3,010 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.0% (2,603 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (2,265 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (4,595 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (3,896 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (3,488 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 28.1% (3,001 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (2,616 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (2,980 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (2,488 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 28.2% (2,138 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (1,792 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (1,466 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (1,879 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (1,587 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (1,312 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (1,099 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 27.1% (877 tests, 2025 data)2002
First registered around 2009First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006
C209/A209 variants compared

CLK C209/A209 variants built around 2010

The fail rate for each CLK C209/A209 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • CLK29.1%889 tests

Diesel

  • CLK33.8%317 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

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

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz CLK built around 2010, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the C209/A209 on its own.

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

    28.1%
    Advisory: 400Fail: 191 (32% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    24.5%
    Advisory: 469Fail: 49 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    19.0%
    Advisory: 312Fail: 42 (12% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    11.9%
    Advisory: 203Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.3%
    Advisory: 133Fail: 43 (24% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,206 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2010 (15 years old), the Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209 (2002-2010) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,206 15-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 29,194 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz CLK models first registered between 2002-2010. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.