Used car guide

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLC: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLCs, from 3,015 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,015MOT tests in 2025

55%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)

6,500typical miles a year

3.3×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLCs than on all cars registered in 2009.

Ball joint3.3× usual

Mercedes-Benz CLC
21.8% All 2009 cars
6.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 12.6%, against 3.4% of all 2009 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 pipes2.8× usual

Mercedes-Benz CLC
21.3% All 2009 cars
7.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.2% of all 2009 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 bearings4.5× usual

Mercedes-Benz CLC
10% All 2009 cars
2.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.8% of all 2009 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.
Brake lights1.8× usual

Mercedes-Benz CLC
9.5% All 2009 cars
5.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 4.3% of all 2009 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.
Steering rack inner joints2.6× usual

Mercedes-Benz CLC
6.4% All 2009 cars
2.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 4.5% here, against 10.4% of all 2009 cars. Sub-frame: 3.3% here, against 7.7% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

53% 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

41% 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

38% 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

12% 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?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2011	548	Suspension 42%
2010	2,366	Suspension 51%
2008	2,001	Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLCs registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score