Mercedes Cls500 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 136 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 28.7%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Mercedes Cls500 MOT Reliability Overview
The Mercedes Cls500 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 136 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.3% and a failure rate of 28.7%, which is above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Mercedes Cls500 earns a "Very Good" reliability rating. The average Mercedes Cls500 presents for MOT with approximately 67,742 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 2006 models achieve the highest pass rate at 76.0%, while 2005 models have the lowest at 72.4%. This 3.6 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Mercedes Cls500 is Brakes, affecting 22.1% of all tests. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. The second most common issue is Tyres at 22.1%. Suspension rounds out the top three at 20.6%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 23.5% | 32 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.5% | 32 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.6% | 28 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 13.9% | 19 |
| 5 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 7.4% | 10 |
| 6 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 4.4% | 6 |
| 7 | Non-component Advisories | 3.7% | 5 |
| 8 | Road Wheels | 2.9% | 4 |
| 9 | Driver's View Of The Road | 2.9% | 4 |
| 10 | Visibility | 1.5% | 2 |
| 11 | Body, Structure And General Items | 1.5% | 2 |
| 12 | Registration Plates And Vin | 1.5% | 2 |
| 13 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.7% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 67,742 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 3.47 | 23.5% | 32 |
| Tyres | 3.47 | 23.5% | 32 |
| Suspension | 3.04 | 20.6% | 28 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 2.06 | 13.9% | 19 |
| Body & Structure | 1.31 | 8.9% | 12 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.65 | 4.4% | 6 |
| Visibility | 0.65 | 4.4% | 6 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.54 | 3.7% | 5 |
| Wheels | 0.43 | 2.9% | 4 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.22 | 1.5% | 2 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.11 | 0.7% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Mercedes Cls500 has 67,742 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Mercedes Cls500 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 4.24% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Mercedes Cls500 MOT Data
The Mercedes Cls500 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 136 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.3% and a failure rate of 28.7%, which is above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Mercedes Cls500 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on brakes and tyres for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Cls500 is likely to perform.
Brakes — 22.1% of failures
Brakes issues account for 22.1% of MOT failures on the Mercedes Cls500. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Tyres — 22.1% of failures
Tyres issues account for 22.1% of MOT failures on the Mercedes Cls500. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Suspension — 20.6% of failures
Suspension issues account for 20.6% of MOT failures on the Mercedes Cls500. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes Cls500?
Based on 136 MOT tests in our database, the Mercedes Cls500 has an overall pass rate of 71.3% (28.7% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes Cls500?
The top 3 reasons a Mercedes Cls500 fails its MOT are: 1. Brakes (22.1%), 2. Tyres (22.1%), 3. Suspension (20.6%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Mercedes Cls500 reliable?
With a 28.7% MOT failure rate, the Cls500 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Mercedes Cls500?
Based on failure data, focus on: Brakes (22.1%); Tyres (22.1%); Suspension (20.6%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.