Mercedes-Benz CLA180 — MOT pass rate & failures
The Mercedes-Benz CLA180 passed 90.5% of its 2,041 MOT tests, covering model years 2014–2023. That is 4.0 percentage points better than the 13.6% fail rate across all Mercedes-Benz CLA versions, so the CLA180 is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 55 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the CLA180 fails 7.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.0% at 90-120k, a spread of only 2.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 10.6% in 2022 to 9.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 36 | 86.1% | 13.9% |
| 2019 | 195 | 87.7% | 12.3% |
| 2020 | 465 | 91.6% | 8.4% |
| 2021 | 192 | 90.1% | 9.9% |
| 2022 | 1,000 | 90.2% | 9.8% |
| 2023 | 100 | 97.0% | 3.0% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.0% | 122 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.4% | 49 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 25 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 25 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 17 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 16 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.8% | 16 |
| 8 | Other defects | 0.3% | 7 |
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 | 55 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 53 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 4 | Wipers | 19 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 14 |
| 6 | Washers | 11 |
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 | 22.6% | 462 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.0% | 224 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.2% | 106 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 70 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.2% | 66 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 13 |
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 | 1,085 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 796 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 129 | 11.6% |
| 90-120k | 30 | 10.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 66 | 10.6% |
| 2023 | 223 | 10.3% |
| 2024 | 320 | 10.9% |
| 2025 | 1,426 | 9.0% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz CLA180
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (6.0% 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 (2.4% 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.
- Visibility (1.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 reliable is the Mercedes-Benz CLA180 at MOT time?
90.5% of the 2,041 Mercedes-Benz CLA180 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.6% fail rate, better than the 13.6% average across all CLA versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Mercedes-Benz CLA180?
Tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by brakes (2.4%).
Does the CLA180 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 10.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,041 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.