2002 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,479 MOT tests, the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 recorded an 80.2% pass rate. That is 7.6 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.2%) and suspension (8.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, ball joint and position lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 67 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.1% in the 30-60k band and 25.2% in the 150k+ band, a 12.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 151 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.5% | 125 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.9% | 102 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.1% | 75 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.7% | 55 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 40 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 67 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 60 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 59 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 50 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 47 |
| 6 | Individual direction indicators | 47 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 32.9% | 487 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.0% | 444 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.6% | 334 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 205 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.0% | 192 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 188 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 107 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 350 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 434 | 18.2% |
| 120-150k | 406 | 20.7% |
| 150k+ | 147 | 25.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 395 | 21.8% |
| 2022 | 308 | 17.5% |
| 2023 | 295 | 18.6% |
| 2024 | 258 | 20.2% |
| 2025 | 223 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Cl 500
On a 2002 Cl 500, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (6.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500s pass their MOT?
80.2% of the 1,479 2002 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by suspension (8.5%).
Does the 2002 Cl 500 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.1% in the 30-60k band to 25.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,479 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.