2007 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,310 MOT tests, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 recorded an 83.9% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (26.9% fail rate), the 2007 Cl 500 comes out 10.8pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (7.3%) and suspension (5.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), ball joint and rigid brake pipes — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 43 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.2% in the 0-30k band and 16.7% in the 150k+ band, a 4.4-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 28.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 7.3% | 96 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.9% | 77 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.3% | 57 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 44 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.2% | 29 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 27 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 43 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 32 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 24 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 23 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 21 |
| 6 | Anti-lock braking system | 21 |
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 | 28.1% | 368 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.2% | 265 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.2% | 239 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 46 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 44 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.8% | 37 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 49 | 12.2% |
| 30-60k | 175 | 11.4% |
| 60-90k | 444 | 16.2% |
| 90-120k | 371 | 15.1% |
| 120-150k | 228 | 21.9% |
| 150k+ | 42 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 306 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 279 | 18.3% |
| 2023 | 262 | 14.1% |
| 2024 | 245 | 14.3% |
| 2025 | 218 | 16.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Cl 500
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 7.3% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (7.3% 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.
- Suspension (5.9% 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.
- Tyres (4.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2007 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500s pass their MOT?
83.9% of the 1,310 2007 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz Cl 500?
Brakes, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by suspension (5.9%).
Does the 2007 Cl 500 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.2% in the 0-30k band to 16.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,310 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.