2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK MOT pass rate and common faults

2,885 MOT tests in 2024. 63.7% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

111Well above average
Passed first time63.7%
Failed or needed repairs36.3%
Typical mileage at test103,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,885 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.1%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.5%
  3. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault3.5%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.3%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.7%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    124 marked dangerous
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.1%
  9. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.0%
  10. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension22.9%
  2. Lights & electrics19.7%
  3. Brakes15.8%
  4. Tyres7.9%
  5. Emissions & leaks6.6%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.1%
  7. Seat belts & airbags4.4%
  8. Body & chassis3.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded19.7%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.8%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine9.9%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.7%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK?

In 2024, 63.7% of 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,885 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

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

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 111, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).