Used car guide

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLCs, from 2,001 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,001MOT tests in 2025

57%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)

6,500typical miles a year

3.5×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLCs than on all cars registered in 2008.

Ball joint3.5× usual

Mercedes-Benz CLC
22.9% All 2008 cars
6.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 11.8%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.
Rigid brake pipes2.7× usual

Mercedes-Benz CLC
26% All 2008 cars
9.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Wheel bearings3.2× usual

Mercedes-Benz CLC
8.4% All 2008 cars
2.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.
Individual direction indicators2.5× usual

Mercedes-Benz CLC
7.6% All 2008 cars
3.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.3% of all 2008 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.
Anti-roll bar link bushes5.3× usual

Mercedes-Benz CLC
5.3% All 2008 cars
1%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 5.6% here, against 12.5% of all 2008 cars. Headlights: 4.4% here, against 10.7% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

55% 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

45% 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

39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

36% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

13% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CLC?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2011	548	Suspension 42%
2010	2,366	Suspension 51%
2009	3,015	Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLCs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score