2007 Mercedes-Benz Cl — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,311 MOT tests, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz Cl recorded an 83.7% pass rate. That is 5.2 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 21.6%. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (7.7%) 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 washers — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 49 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 19.4% versus 10.3%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 29.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 7.7% | 101 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.9% | 77 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.7% | 49 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 43 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 39 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 33 |
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) | 49 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 39 |
| 3 | Washers | 33 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 27 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 25 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 23 |
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 | 29.4% | 386 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.8% | 259 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.8% | 247 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 83 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.0% | 39 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 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 | 58 | 10.3% |
| 30-60k | 248 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 461 | 18.2% |
| 90-120k | 341 | 14.4% |
| 120-150k | 135 | 20.0% |
| 150k+ | 67 | 19.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 298 | 18.8% |
| 2022 | 281 | 16.0% |
| 2023 | 259 | 13.5% |
| 2024 | 246 | 15.4% |
| 2025 | 227 | 17.6% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Cl
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 7.7% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (7.7% 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 (3.7% 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 Cls pass their MOT?
83.7% of the 1,311 2007 Mercedes-Benz Cl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz Cl?
Brakes, recorded in 7.7% of tests, followed by suspension (5.9%).
Does the 2007 Cl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 0-30k band to 19.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,311 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.