2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA — MOT failures & pass rate
45,114 MOT tests on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA are in this dataset, and 85.0% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (13.7% fail rate), the 2016 CLA comes out 1.3pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 8.1% of all tests — 4.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, coil spring and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 1,354 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.3% in the 0-30k band and 20.9% in the 150k+ band, a 12.6-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.8pp more often than petrol ones (15.5% vs 13.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.1% | 3,651 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.7% | 1,660 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.9% | 1,298 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 1,180 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 1,076 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 831 |
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 | 1,354 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,039 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 955 |
| 4 | Washers | 864 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 774 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 694 |
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 | 26.3% | 11,849 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.5% | 8,327 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.1% | 2,753 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.2% | 1,902 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 1,497 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.8% | 814 |
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 | 2,824 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 17,993 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 16,286 | 16.4% |
| 90-120k | 6,043 | 18.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,525 | 17.9% |
| 150k+ | 431 | 20.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 33,145 | 15.5% |
| Petrol | 11,969 | 13.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,879 | 11.6% |
| 2022 | 9,004 | 13.9% |
| 2023 | 9,099 | 15.4% |
| 2024 | 9,088 | 16.4% |
| 2025 | 9,044 | 17.6% |
What to check before buying a 2016 CLA
On a 2016 CLA, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (8.1% 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 (3.7% 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.
- Brakes (2.9% 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.
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 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLAs pass their MOT?
85.0% of the 45,114 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA?
Tyres, recorded in 8.1% of tests, followed by suspension (3.7%).
Does the 2016 CLA get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 20.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 45,114 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.