2009 · 15 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT pass rate and common faults

1,007 MOT tests in 2024. 62.7% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

107Above average
Passed first time62.7%
Failed or needed repairs37.3%
Typical mileage at test111,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,007 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.9%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed4.6%
    67 marked dangerous
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.6%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.2%
    83 marked dangerous
  6. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.9%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.8%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.9%
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.8%
  10. Washers: not working1.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics16.7%
  2. Suspension16.6%
  3. Brakes14.4%
  4. Tyres13.1%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.5%
  6. Steering5.5%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.1%
  8. Body & chassis2.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm23.8%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.9%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.6%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.4%

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 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS?

In 2024, 62.7% of 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,007 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

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

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 107, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).