2001 Mercedes-Benz Cl — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 Mercedes-Benz Cl passed 82.2% of its 398 recorded MOT tests. That is 4.7 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests against 8.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, headlamp aim and position lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 22 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 27.8% versus 8.3%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 17.0% in 2021 to 11.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 46 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.5% | 34 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.3% | 29 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.5% | 22 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 14 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.0% | 12 |
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 | 22 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 15 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 14 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 13 |
| 6 | Individual direction indicators | 12 |
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 | 30.9% | 123 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.1% | 100 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.9% | 95 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.6% | 58 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 48 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.3% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 36 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 96 | 13.5% |
| 90-120k | 119 | 22.7% |
| 120-150k | 102 | 15.7% |
| 150k+ | 36 | 27.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 100 | 17.0% |
| 2022 | 89 | 18.0% |
| 2023 | 91 | 19.8% |
| 2024 | 64 | 21.9% |
| 2025 | 54 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Cl
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.6% 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 (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.
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 2001 Mercedes-Benz Cls pass their MOT?
82.2% of the 398 2001 Mercedes-Benz Cl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz Cl?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests, followed by suspension (8.5%).
Does the 2001 Cl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 30-60k band to 27.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 398 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.