2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 MOT pass rate and common faults

141 MOT tests in 2024. 79.4% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

141Well above average
Passed first time79.4%
Failed or needed repairs20.6%
Typical mileage at test99,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 141 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.8%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.8%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.1%
  4. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.1%
  5. Side repeaters: not working2.1%
  6. Washers: not working2.1%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.1%
    3 marked dangerous
  8. Position lamp: not working2.1%
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.4%
  10. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics14.2%
  2. Suspension11.3%
  3. Brakes9.2%
  4. Tyres5.0%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.3%
  6. Steering3.5%
  7. Seat belts & airbags2.8%
  8. Emissions & leaks1.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded13.5%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.6%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak10.6%
  5. Exhaust system: system insecure9.2%

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: shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500?

In 2024, 79.4% of 2004 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 cars passed their MOT first time, across 141 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500?

The most common failure reasons were shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 141, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).