Used car guide

2005 Mercedes-Benz CLS: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLSs, from 824 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

824MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,300typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLSs than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Ball joint2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CLS
    13.2% All 2005 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 3% of all 2005 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 3.4% here, against 10.8% of all 2005 cars. Number plate lights: 3% here, against 8.2% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Suspension
    34% 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.

  • Tyres
    30% 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
    26% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    10% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20191,078Tyres 24%
2018947Tyres 26%
20171,469Tyres 31%
20162,088Tyres 31%
20152,870Tyres 30%
20141,729Brakes 36%
20132,980Brakes 40%
20121,067Brakes 37%
20111,108Brakes 36%
2010981Brakes 37%
2009952Brakes 39%
20081,165Brakes 39%
20071,437Brakes 42%
20061,142Brakes 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLSs registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score