2002 Mercedes-Benz Cl — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 891 MOT tests, the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Cl recorded an 80.7% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.6% of the time, so this is 3.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.3%) and suspension (7.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 37 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 21.6% versus 16.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.4% in 2021 to 18.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 74 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.2% | 64 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.8% | 52 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.2% | 37 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 36 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 25 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 37 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 34 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 25 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 23 |
| 6 | Washers | 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 | 28.4% | 253 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.0% | 205 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.3% | 181 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 93 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 76 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.1% | 72 |
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 | 99 | 16.2% |
| 60-90k | 230 | 16.1% |
| 90-120k | 287 | 21.3% |
| 120-150k | 188 | 20.7% |
| 150k+ | 74 | 21.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 206 | 21.4% |
| 2022 | 180 | 17.8% |
| 2023 | 188 | 18.6% |
| 2024 | 173 | 20.2% |
| 2025 | 144 | 18.1% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Cl
On a 2002 Cl, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.2% 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 (5.8% 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 Cls pass their MOT?
80.7% of the 891 2002 Mercedes-Benz Cl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz Cl?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.3% of tests, followed by suspension (7.2%).
Does the 2002 Cl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.2% in the 30-60k band to 21.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 891 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.