Mercedes-Benz CLA220d — MOT pass rate & failures
11,747 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz CLA220d (2013–2024) give an 89.7% pass rate. That is 3.3 percentage points better than the 13.6% fail rate across all Mercedes-Benz CLA versions, so the CLA220d is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 320 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.4% in the 0-30k band and 12.6% in the 90-120k band, a 5.2-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 8.7% of tests failed in 2022 against 10.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1,348 | 87.8% | 12.2% |
| 2020 | 4,520 | 90.1% | 9.9% |
| 2021 | 4,316 | 89.7% | 10.3% |
| 2022 | 1,394 | 90.5% | 9.5% |
| 2023 | 121 | 93.4% | 6.6% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.1% | 833 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.9% | 224 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 221 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 184 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 82 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.4% | 53 |
| 7 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 41 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 38 |
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 | 320 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 247 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 205 |
| 4 | Wipers | 110 |
| 5 | Washers | 95 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 88 |
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 | 24.8% | 2,907 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.6% | 1,481 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.5% | 533 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 393 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.8% | 210 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 114 |
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 | 4,390 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 6,125 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,023 | 12.4% |
| 90-120k | 175 | 12.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 379 | 8.7% |
| 2023 | 1,960 | 9.7% |
| 2024 | 4,041 | 10.2% |
| 2025 | 5,357 | 10.7% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz CLA220d
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (7.1% 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.
- Brakes (1.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.9% 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 CLA220d at MOT time?
89.7% of the 11,747 Mercedes-Benz CLA220d MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.3% fail rate, better than the 13.6% average across all CLA versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Mercedes-Benz CLA220d?
Tyres, recorded in 7.1% of tests, followed by brakes (1.9%).
Does the CLA220d get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 12.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,747 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.