2013 Mercedes-Benz Cl — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Cl passed 83.4% of its 628 recorded MOT tests. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (14.6% fail rate), the 2013 Cl comes out 2.0pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.2%) and brakes (5.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, ball joint and rbt (sp) — tread depth alone was recorded 20 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 16.5% versus 9.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 39 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.4% | 34 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.7% | 23 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 17 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 13 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.9% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 20 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 15 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 13 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 11 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 10 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.9% | 131 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.0% | 113 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.6% | 79 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.7% | 23 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.5% | 22 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 2.5% | 16 |
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 | 42 | 9.5% |
| 30-60k | 228 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 260 | 17.7% |
| 90-120k | 79 | 16.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 129 | 13.2% |
| 2022 | 129 | 14.7% |
| 2023 | 133 | 18.8% |
| 2024 | 120 | 17.5% |
| 2025 | 117 | 18.8% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Cl
On a 2013 Cl, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.2% 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.
- Brakes (5.4% 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 (3.7% 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 2013 Mercedes-Benz Cls pass their MOT?
83.4% of the 628 2013 Mercedes-Benz Cl MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Cl?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by brakes (5.4%).
Does the 2013 Cl get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.5% in the 0-30k band to 16.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 628 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.