Used car guide

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

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLKs, from 2,454 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,454MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,000typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

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

  • Rigid brake pipes2.4× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLK
    22.8% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, 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.

  • Ball joint2.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLK
    18.3% All 2008 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, 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.

  • Wheel bearings3.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLK
    8.4% All 2008 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, 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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints4.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLK
    4.8% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes3.7× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLK
    3.7% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, 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

Number plate lights: 3.1% here, against 8.9% of all 2008 cars. Sidelights: 2.7% here, against 7.4% of all 2008 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    48% 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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
    30% 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
    12% 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
    8% 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 CLK?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20092,745Suspension 46%
20073,399Suspension 50%
20062,832Suspension 47%
20053,419Suspension 48%
20043,442Suspension 49%
20032,433Suspension 45%
20021,331Brakes 42%
20011,121Brakes 37%
2000949Brakes 40%

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