2012 Mercedes-Benz Cl — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 382 MOT tests, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Cl recorded an 84.5% pass rate. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (16.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in brakes, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (7.6%) and tyres (5.8%) 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 wipers — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 12 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.7% in the 30-60k band and 19.7% in the 90-120k band, a 9.0-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 25.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 18.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 7.6% | 29 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.8% | 22 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.4% | 13 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 10 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 9 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 7 |
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) | 12 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 10 |
| 3 | Wipers | 9 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 8 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 8 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 6 |
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 | 25.1% | 96 |
| 2 | Tyres | 15.7% | 60 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.3% | 47 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.9% | 15 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 14 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.6% | 6 |
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 | 121 | 10.7% |
| 60-90k | 150 | 16.7% |
| 90-120k | 71 | 19.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 83 | 18.1% |
| 2022 | 80 | 12.5% |
| 2023 | 75 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 72 | 13.9% |
| 2025 | 72 | 20.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Cl
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 7.6% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (7.6% 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.
- Tyres (5.8% 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.
- Suspension (3.4% 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.
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 2012 Mercedes-Benz Cls pass their MOT?
84.5% of the 382 2012 Mercedes-Benz Cl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Cl?
Brakes, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by tyres (5.8%).
Does the 2012 Cl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.7% in the 30-60k band to 19.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 382 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.