2020 · 4 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT pass rate and common faults

263 MOT tests in 2024. 79.5% passed first time, compared with 86.9% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time79.5%
Failed or needed repairs20.5%
Typical mileage at test31,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 263 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Road Wheels - condition: fractured9.1%
    35 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.8%
    19 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.3%
    15 marked dangerous
  5. Tyres - condition: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.9%
    7 marked dangerous
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
    6 marked dangerous
  7. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.8%
    2 marked dangerous
  8. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.8%
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn0.8%
  10. Brake pads: incorrectly mounted0.8%
    2 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres14.1%
  2. Wheels9.1%
  3. Brakes1.9%
  4. Suspension1.1%
  5. Lights & electrics1.1%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.0%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.2%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.2%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords3.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: road wheels - condition: fractured. 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS?

In 2024, 79.5% of 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS cars passed their MOT first time, across 263 tests. The average for all 4-year-old cars was 86.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS?

The most common failure reasons were road wheels - condition: fractured; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).