MOT performance
2005 Mercedes-Benz CLS: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 2,011 MOT tests on 2005-registered Mercedes-Benz CLSs in 2023–2024 (on average 17.9 years old at test, median 104,731 miles), 70.2% passed first time, 4.2 points lower than the Mercedes-Benz CLS overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLSs failed 33% less often than comparable cars.
2,011 MOT tests on 1,103 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 | 70.2% | ±2 pts (95%), n = 2,011 |
| All Mercedes-Benz CLSs | 74.4% | n = 48,848 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.67× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 10.3% | n = 2,011 |
| Average age at test | 17.9 years | n = 2,011 |
Where 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLSs fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 11.1% | -36% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 10.8% | -51% |
| Tyres | 8.1% | +13% |
| Brakes | 6.9% | -48% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.5% | -29% |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.9% | -62% |
| Steering | 2.6% | -33% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 1.9% | -78% |
| Road wheels | 1.3% | +163% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.7% | +14% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.5% | -80% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 5.42% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.68% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 3.08% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.69% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.29% |
Check a specific 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLS
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.