MOT performance
Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 17,704 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz CLC in 2023–2024, 55.5% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Mercedes-Benz CLCs failed 7% more often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “ball joint: ball joint excessively worn”, on 11.05% of tests.
17,704 MOT tests on 9,059 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 55.5% | ±0.7 pts (95%), n = 17,704 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.07× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 12.6% | n = 17,704 |
| Average age at test | 13.7 years | n = 17,704 |
| Median mileage at test | 95,823 miles | n = 17,704 |
| Vehicles tested | 9,059 | 2023–2024 |
Where Mercedes-Benz CLCs fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 25.6% | +55% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 17.1% | -12% |
| Brakes | 11.1% | +7% |
| Tyres | 9.9% | +30% |
| Driver's view of the road | 7.6% | +18% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.1% | -27% |
| Steering | 4.0% | +23% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 2.5% | -60% |
| Road wheels | 1.7% | +204% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.1% | -30% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.5% | Same |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | +13% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 11.05% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 9.00% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 4.55% |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Suspension | 3.58% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.29% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 3.21% |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | Steering | 3.08% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 2.97% |
| Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.67% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 2.63% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 18.64% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 16.98% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.12% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 8.22% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 7.86% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-12 | 2,149 | 58.2% | +10% |
| 13-15 | 14,862 | 55.2% | +6% |
| 16+ | 671 | 53.8% | +6% |
Pass rate by registration year
Check a specific Mercedes-Benz CLC
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.