2016 · 8 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT pass rate and common faults

2,032 MOT tests in 2024. 78.9% passed first time, compared with 76.6% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time78.9%
Failed or needed repairs21.1%
Typical mileage at test67,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,032 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.4%
    97 marked dangerous
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    84 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.4%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.4%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.1%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.0%
    56 marked dangerous
  7. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.5%
    45 marked dangerous
  8. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.8%
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%
    19 marked dangerous
  10. Parking brake control - lever: defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated0.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres13.4%
  2. Brakes4.3%
  3. Suspension4.0%
  4. Emissions & leaks3.0%
  5. Lights & electrics2.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.1%
  7. Wheels0.6%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.4%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.6%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.0%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords4.0%
  5. Wheel bearings: has excessive play4.0%

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 ply or cords exposed. 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 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS?

In 2024, 78.9% of 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,032 tests. The average for all 8-year-old cars was 76.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).