Used car guide · 2005–2023

Mercedes-Benz CLS common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mercedes-Benz CLS, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 70,692 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS

Too few Mercedes-Benz CLS cars first registered in 2022 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Mercedes-Benz CLS as a whole.

74on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselfuel type
What to check on a 2022 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005

What usually goes wrong with a Mercedes-Benz CLS?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Mercedes-Benz CLS in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Ball joint

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

Diesel

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Ball joint

    up to 11× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    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 pipes

    up to 6.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Wheels

    up to 19.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLS did best (71% passed first time, 14 points above all 2005 cars) and the 2020 did worst (79%, 8 points below all 2020 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202178%87% -9104 (small sample)
202079%87% -8850
201983%85% -23,235
201882%83% -12,895
201781%80% +14,487
201680%77% +36,312
201580%74% +68,678
201476%70% +65,369
201374%67% +79,199
201275%64% +113,346
201174%62% +123,528
201065%60% +53,201
200965%59% +63,285
200867%57% +104,060
200767%57% +105,119
200669%56% +134,213
200571%57% +142,811

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mercedes-Benz CLS

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 8.8× as often on the Mercedes-Benz CLS as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 17× as often on the Mercedes-Benz CLS as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 9.8× as often on the Mercedes-Benz CLS as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CLS?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score