2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 MOT pass rate and common faults

158 MOT tests in 2024. 75.3% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

132Well above average
Passed first time75.3%
Failed or needed repairs24.7%
Typical mileage at test101,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 158 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.1%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.8%
  3. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.5%
  4. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.5%
  5. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault1.9%
  6. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.9%
  7. Side repeaters: not working1.9%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
  9. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush1.3%
  10. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.3%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension17.7%
  2. Brakes10.1%
  3. Lights & electrics9.5%
  4. Tyres7.0%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.4%
  6. Steering3.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.2%
  8. Body & chassis2.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded15.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.2%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.9%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.6%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine7.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2002 Cl 500All Cl 500 years2004 Cl 500 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500?

In 2024, 75.3% of 2003 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 cars passed their MOT first time, across 158 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an abs fault. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 132, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).