2011 Mercedes-Benz Cl — MOT failures & pass rate
305 MOT tests on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Cl are in this dataset, and 83.6% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (17.7% fail rate), the 2011 Cl comes out 1.3pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (6.6%) 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 ball joint, rbt (sp) and malfunction indicator lamp — ball joint alone was recorded 15 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 21.9% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 20.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 6.6% | 20 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.9% | 18 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.3% | 16 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 11 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 6 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.3% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 15 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 13 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 9 |
| 4 | Parking brake performance | 8 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 8 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 7 |
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 | 20.0% | 61 |
| 2 | Tyres | 18.0% | 55 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.4% | 41 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 10 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 5 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 5 |
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 | 78 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 114 | 17.5% |
| 90-120k | 73 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65 | 15.4% |
| 2022 | 66 | 15.2% |
| 2023 | 61 | 18.0% |
| 2024 | 58 | 15.5% |
| 2025 | 55 | 18.2% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Cl
On a 2011 Cl, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (6.6% 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 (5.3% 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz Cls pass their MOT?
83.6% of the 305 2011 Mercedes-Benz Cl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz Cl?
Brakes, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by suspension (5.9%).
Does the 2011 Cl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 30-60k band to 21.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 305 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.