Used car guide

2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLAs, from 2,080 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,080MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
8,300typical miles a year
4.3×the usual rate for link ball joint covers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLAs than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Link ball joint covers4.3× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLA
    8.6% All 2013 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Engine warning light2.6× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLA
    4.1% All 2013 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Airbag warning light4.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLA
    2.4% All 2013 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.5% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.6% here, against 6% of all 2013 cars. Exhaust system: 1.4% here, against 4.6% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    26% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    25% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    14% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CLA?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023696Tyres 13%
202211,367Tyres 29%
20219,544Tyres 30%
20207,521Tyres 31%
20198,245Tyres 32%
20188,402Tyres 33%
20178,245Tyres 33%
20167,601Tyres 33%
20156,749Tyres 33%
20144,276Tyres 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLAs registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score