Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT pass rate: 77.6% (21,986 tests, 2025)

The Mercedes-Benz CLS passed 77.6% of its 21,986 MOT tests in 2025 — right on the UK average of 77.5%. The median tested example was 12 years old with 91,378 miles on the clock.

77.6%Pass rate (2025)

21,986MOT tests analysed

91,378 miMedian mileage at test

12 yrsMedian age at test

How the CLS compares

Mercedes-Benz CLS

77.6%

UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)

77.5% across 33.1 million tests

Mercedes-Benz average (all models)

80.7%

What fails most on the Mercedes-Benz CLS

Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the CLS:

#	System	Defects recorded	Share
1	Tyres	2,954	27.6%
2	Suspension	2,785	26.0%
3	Brakes	2,173	20.3%
4	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	1,086	10.2%
5	Noise, emissions and leaks	602	5.6%
6	Road Wheels	460	4.3%

Pre-MOT checklist for CLS owners

Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:

Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
Feel for a spongy pedal or pulling to one side; check pad wear through the wheel spokes if visible
Walk round with all lights on: one blown bulb is the most avoidable fail there is
A blowing exhaust or visible smoke will fail; warm the engine fully before the test

Check the engine before the tester does

A stored fault code with the engine light on is an automatic Major defect. Scan and clear resolved faults before booking.

Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers

CLS pass rate by registration year

Lower age-adjusted outliers to inspect carefully: 2017, 2018, 2019. Strongest age-adjusted years: 2005. Full ranking and method: Mercedes-Benz CLS years to avoid.

Registration year	Tests	Pass rate	Vs same-age	Median mileage
2005	2,789	76.1%	+11.6 pts	104,734
2006	4,152	73.9%	+9.4 pts	117,940
2007	5,062	72.2%	+7.1 pts	119,870
2008	4,020	71.9%	+6.7 pts	119,584
2009	3,249	69.3%	+2.9 pts	111,070
2010	3,175	70.5%	+3.1 pts	109,564
2011	3,480	77.1%	+7.9 pts	98,474
2012	3,312	76.8%	+5.6 pts	95,192
2013	9,119	75.8%	+2.5 pts	93,640
2014	5,329	77.6%	+1.7 pts	83,360
2015	8,599	82.2%	+3.5 pts	77,897
2016	6,264	82.2%	+0.9 pts	66,704
2017	4,439	83.3%	-0.8 pts	55,712
2018	2,877	83.9%	-2.4 pts	46,578
2019	3,212	84.1%	-4.3 pts	39,081

Check a specific CLS before you buy

Pass rates describe the model; they can’t tell you about the one car you’re looking at. Run its plate through our free MOT history check to see its personal record of failures, advisories and mileage readings.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

C78.2% pass rate · 343,551 tests A-Class77.8% pass rate · 232,671 tests E79.7% pass rate · 215,896 tests A89.1% pass rate · 93,733 tests Vito73.4% pass rate · 81,263 tests GLC87.2% pass rate · 65,847 tests GLA83.1% pass rate · 64,404 tests CLA82.7% pass rate · 62,279 tests

FAQs

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

In 2025, 77.6% of 21,986 first MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz CLS were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What does the CLS fail its MOT on most?

The biggest defect group is tyres (27.6% of its recorded defects), followed by suspension.

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLS reliable?

MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 77.6% it performs above the national average at a median age of 12 years and 91,378 miles. Always check the individual car's history too.

Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures rounded to one decimal place.