2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 MOT pass rate and common faults

149 MOT tests in 2024. 78.5% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

134Well above average
Passed first time78.5%
Failed or needed repairs21.5%
Typical mileage at test83,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 149 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure3.4%
    6 marked dangerous
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.7%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.7%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value2.0%
    4 marked dangerous
  5. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
  7. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened1.3%
    4 marked dangerous
  8. Service brake imbalance: across an axle1.3%
  9. Side repeaters: not working1.3%
  10. Electronic parking brake: control inoperative1.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes13.4%
  2. Tyres7.4%
  3. Suspension6.7%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.0%
  5. Lights & electrics3.4%
  6. Steering0.7%
  7. Number plates & VIN0.7%
  8. Emissions & leaks0.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.8%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded13.4%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak10.1%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.4%
  5. Wheel bearings: has excessive play6.0%

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: tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. 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 2009 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500?

In 2024, 78.5% of 2009 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 cars passed their MOT first time, across 149 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 134, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).