Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT Results

Registered in 2009
65.6% pass rate
from 1,394 tests in 2021
(11% better than other 2009 cars)
Pass rate by mileage
Failure rates by item

Here you can drill down into the failure rates for each item on the test. We've also compared the rates to the average results for 2009 cars and highlighted areas where the Mercedes-Benz CLS is unusually good or bad.

  • 13% fail on Suspension
    • 7.8% fail on Suspension arms (68% worse than other 2009 cars)
      • 6.0% fail on Ball joint (170% worse than other 2009 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 1.0% fail on Pins and bushes (49% better than other 2009 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Suspension arm
    • 4.2% fail on Springs
      • 4.2% fail on Coil springs
        • 4.2% fail on Coil spring
    • 1.4% fail on Other suspension component (4 times worse than other 2009 cars)
      • 1.4% fail on Ball joint (8 times worse than other 2009 cars)
      • 0.22% fail on Ball joint dust cover (3 times worse than other 2009 cars)
    • 0.57% fail on Wheel bearings
    • 0.22% fail on Shock absorbers (76% better than other 2009 cars)
    • 0.22% fail on Anti-roll bars (94% better than other 2009 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Linkage
      • 0.072% fail on Linkage ball joints
  • 10.0% fail on Brakes
    • 6.1% fail on Rigid brake pipes (5 times worse than other 2009 cars)
    • 2.9% fail on Brake performance (39% better than other 2009 cars)
      • 1.9% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp)
        • 1.8% fail on Rbt (sp)
        • 0.072% fail on Decelerometer (sp)
      • 0.65% fail on Service brake performance (74% better than other 2009 cars)
        • 0.65% fail on Rbt (73% better than other 2009 cars)
          • 0.50% fail on Service brake performance (76% better than other 2009 cars)
          • 0.14% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 0.57% fail on Parking brake performance
        • 0.57% fail on Rbt
          • 0.50% fail on Parking brake performance
          • 0.072% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
      • 0.36% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp)
        • 0.36% fail on Rbt (sp)
          • 0.22% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.14% fail on Service brake imbalance
    • 1.9% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 1.4% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 1.4% fail on Brake pads
      • 0.72% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.72% fail on Brake discs
    • 0.22% fail on ABS / EBS / ESC
      • 0.14% fail on Anti-lock braking system
      • 0.072% fail on Electronic stability control
    • 0.072% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.072% fail on Pedal
    • 0.072% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.072% fail on Brake fluid
    • 0.072% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.072% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders)
      • 0.072% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers
  • 9.0% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (29% better than other 2009 cars)
    • 3.0% fail on Headlamps
      • 2.9% fail on Headlamp
      • 0.14% fail on Headlamp levelling device
    • 2.7% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 2.4% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 0.29% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 2.4% fail on Direction indicators
      • 2.4% fail on Flashing type
        • 1.2% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 1.1% fail on Side repeaters
        • 0.14% fail on All direction indicators
    • 1.3% fail on Stop lamp (62% better than other 2009 cars)
    • 0.93% fail on Registration plate lamp(s) (53% better than other 2009 cars)
    • 0.072% fail on Position lamps
      • 0.072% fail on Position lamp
    • 0.072% fail on Front and rear fog lamps
      • 0.072% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 0.072% fail on Rear fog lamp
    • 0.072% fail on Reversing lamps
      • 0.072% fail on Reversing lamps
    • 0.072% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.072% fail on Main beam tell-tale
  • 8.5% fail on Tyres (36% worse than other 2009 cars)
    • 5.2% fail on Condition (78% worse than other 2009 cars)
    • 3.7% fail on Tread depth
    • 0.36% fail on Size/type
  • 4.5% fail on Visibility
    • 2.8% fail on Washers
    • 1.8% fail on Wipers
    • 0.14% fail on Condition of glass
      • 0.14% fail on Windscreen
    • 0.072% fail on Bonnet
    • 0.072% fail on View to rear
      • 0.072% fail on Mirrors
  • 3.9% fail on Steering (63% worse than other 2009 cars)
    • 3.4% fail on Steering linkage components (81% worse than other 2009 cars)
      • 3.1% fail on Track rod end (74% worse than other 2009 cars)
      • 0.36% fail on Ball joint (3 times worse than other 2009 cars)
      • 0.072% fail on Steering arm
    • 0.22% fail on Power steering
      • 0.22% fail on Operation (4 times worse than other 2009 cars)
    • 0.14% fail on Steering gear
      • 0.14% fail on Steering rack
    • 0.072% fail on Steering play
      • 0.072% fail on Steering rack
  • 2.7% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks (38% better than other 2009 cars)
    • 2.4% fail on Exhaust emissions (41% better than other 2009 cars)
      • 1.9% fail on Compression ignition
        • 0.93% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp
        • 0.86% fail on On or after 01/07/2008
        • 0.14% fail on Emissions not tested
        • 0.072% fail on Emission control equipment
          • 0.072% fail on Particulate filter
      • 0.50% fail on Spark ignition (82% better than other 2009 cars)
        • 0.43% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp (64% better than other 2009 cars)
        • 0.072% fail on Catalyst emissions
    • 0.36% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.22% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.14% fail on Other leaks (5 times worse than other 2009 cars)
    • 0.072% fail on Noise suppression
      • 0.072% fail on Undertray
  • 1.8% fail on Road Wheels (2 times worse than other 2009 cars)
    • 1.0% fail on Condition (6 times worse than other 2009 cars)
    • 0.79% fail on Attachment (120% worse than other 2009 cars)
  • 1.5% fail on Body, chassis, structure (68% better than other 2009 cars)
    • 1.1% fail on Exhaust system
    • 0.14% fail on Doors
      • 0.14% fail on Other passenger's door
        • 0.14% fail on Door condition
    • 0.072% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.072% fail on Hose
    • 0.072% fail on Transmission
      • 0.072% fail on Drive shafts
        • 0.072% fail on Joints
    • 0.072% fail on Boot lid
      • 0.072% fail on Boot lid condition
    • 0.072% fail on Undertray
  • 0.72% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.72% fail on Registration plates
  • 0.29% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (73% better than other 2009 cars)
    • 0.29% fail on SRS malfunction indicator lamp
  • 0.072% fail on Speedometer and speed limiter
    • 0.072% fail on Speedometer
Read the Honest John Review

  • Mercedes-Benz CLS (2005 - 2011)
    Dramatically different from any other Mercedes, wonderful styling, great engines and transmissions, incredibly refined with a forgiving ride.

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