Used car guide

2010 Mercedes-Benz CLC: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLCs, from 2,366 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,366MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
6,500typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLCs than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Ball joint3.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLC
    21.1% All 2010 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.5%, against 3.4% of all 2010 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 pipes2.6× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLC
    17.5% All 2010 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.1% of all 2010 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 bearings3.6× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLC
    7.2% All 2010 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.8% of all 2010 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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints6× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLC
    4.2% All 2010 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2010 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.

  • Brake lights1.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLC
    8.5% All 2010 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 3.8% of all 2010 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

Number plate lights: 1.9% here, against 9% of all 2010 cars. Engine oil leaks: 4.4% here, against 10.2% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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
    37% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CLC?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011548Suspension 42%
20093,015Suspension 53%
20082,001Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLCs registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score