2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,038 MOT tests analysed for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 81.3% was in line with the average for small family cars of a similar age (80.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 21.8% in the 150k+ group versus 8.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.5% | 977 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.1% | 920 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.3% | 698 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 459 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 430 |
| 6 | Brakes | 3.3% | 424 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 541 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 451 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 417 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 361 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 327 |
| 6 | Washers | 314 |
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 | 27.1% | 3,538 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.2% | 2,769 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 1,271 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.6% | 859 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 558 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 342 |
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 | 236 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,310 | 15.2% |
| 60-90k | 5,156 | 18.5% |
| 90-120k | 3,601 | 20.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,300 | 20.9% |
| 150k+ | 432 | 21.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,521 | 19.3% |
| Diesel | 6,517 | 18.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,610 | 15.9% |
| 2022 | 2,641 | 17.8% |
| 2023 | 2,648 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 2,586 | 19.6% |
| 2025 | 2,553 | 20.4% |
What to check before buying a 2013 CLA
Before buying a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.5% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.5% 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 (7.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (5.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 CLAs pass their MOT?
81.3% of the 13,038 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA?
Tyres, recorded in 7.5% of tests, followed by suspension (7.1%).
Does the 2013 CLA get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 21.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,038 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.