Used car guide

2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLKs, from 1,121 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,121MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
4,100typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLKs than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Wheel bearings2.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLK
    9.5% All 2001 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 1% of all 2001 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.

  • Transmission oil leaks2.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLK
    5.8% All 2001 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Corroded fuel pipes3.3× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLK
    3% All 2001 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2001 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.2% here, against 7.5% of all 2001 cars. Rust around suspension or steering mountings: 3% here, against 7.8% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Tyres
    29% 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
    29% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% 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.

  • 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20092,745Suspension 46%
20082,454Suspension 48%
20073,399Suspension 50%
20062,832Suspension 47%
20053,419Suspension 48%
20043,442Suspension 49%
20032,433Suspension 45%
20021,331Brakes 42%
2000949Brakes 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLKs registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score