2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 15,583 MOT tests, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC recorded a 70.9% pass rate. That is 8.1 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 21.0%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 20.3% of tests against 13.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, coil spring and tread depth — ball joint alone was recorded 1,842 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 31.8% once past 150k — 2.3× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 27.8% fail against 30.5% for diesel, a 2.7-point gap across 15,583 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.3% | 3,167 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 2,049 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.4% | 1,463 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.1% | 1,106 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 866 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.3% | 516 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 1,842 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,341 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 792 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 709 |
| 5 | Washers | 643 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 639 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 37.4% | 5,831 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.4% | 5,359 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.2% | 4,398 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 2,508 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.3% | 1,762 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 1,216 |
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 | 173 | 13.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,178 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 4,249 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 5,361 | 30.1% |
| 120-150k | 3,091 | 31.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,517 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 8,009 | 27.8% |
| Diesel | 7,574 | 30.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,529 | 29.1% |
| 2022 | 3,390 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 3,208 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 2,883 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 2,573 | 27.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 CLC
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 20.3% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (20.3% 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 (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.4% 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.
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 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLCs pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 15,583 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC?
Suspension, recorded in 20.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.2%).
Does the 2008 CLC get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.9% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,583 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.