2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA MOT pass rate: 80.7% (22,781 tests)
Is the 2016 CLA getting worse?
Pass rate of 2016-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 82.1% -1.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 80.8% -0.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 79.0% -0.6 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2016 CLA
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2,920 | 34.8% |
| 2 | Suspension | 1,734 | 20.7% |
| 3 | Brakes | 1,205 | 14.4% |
| 4 | Visibility | 621 | 7.4% |
| 5 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 590 | 7.0% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 523 | 6.2% |
All CLA years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6,281 | 75.6% | +2.3 pts | 90,530 |
| 2014 | 12,867 | 78.1% | +2.2 pts | 84,970 |
| 2015 | 20,374 | 79.5% | +0.8 pts | 78,313 |
| 2016 (this page) | 22,781 | 80.7% | -0.7 pts | 70,732 |
| 2017 | 24,420 | 82.1% | -2.0 pts | 60,610 |
| 2018 | 24,735 | 84.4% | -1.9 pts | 48,754 |
| 2019 | 23,290 | 86.3% | -2.1 pts | 38,691 |
| 2020 | 15,059 | 87.1% | -2.9 pts | 32,458 |
| 2021 | 12,145 | 88.7% | -1.7 pts | 30,528 |
| 2022 | 6,109 | 89.8% | -1.4 pts | 25,086 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Mercedes-Benz CLA years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
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- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA reliable?
2016-registered examples passed 80.7% of their MOT tests (22,781 tests, 2023–2025), -0.7 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 10 years old with a median 70,732 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2016 CLA?
The median tested example shows 70,732 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.