2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT pass rate and common faults

1,241 MOT tests in 2024. 63.6% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

112Well above average
Passed first time63.6%
Failed or needed repairs36.4%
Typical mileage at test120,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,241 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.0%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed4.8%
    93 marked dangerous
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.0%
    90 marked dangerous
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.4%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
  6. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.6%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.2%
    38 marked dangerous
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.9%
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.9%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension17.2%
  2. Brakes14.5%
  3. Lights & electrics14.3%
  4. Tyres13.8%
  5. Emissions & leaks5.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.1%
  7. Steering3.1%
  8. Wheels2.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.9%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.4%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.3%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn9.4%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.0%

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: 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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS?

In 2024, 63.6% of 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,241 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 112, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).