Mercedes-Benz CLA180 — MOT pass rate & failures
The Mercedes-Benz CLA180 recorded a 90.5% MOT pass rate across 2,041 tests in this dataset (model years 2014–2023), with tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling its most common failure areas. Its 9.6% fail rate is lower than the 13.6% average across all Mercedes-Benz CLA versions.
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 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 25 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.2% | 25 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 17 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.8% | 16 |
| 7 | Suspension | 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% 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 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 2026-07-06. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.