2009 Mercedes-Benz CLC — MOT failures & pass rate
23,118 MOT tests on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLC are in this dataset, and 71.2% of them passed. That is 8.6 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 20.2%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 19.1% of all tests — 6.0 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, coil spring and tread depth — ball joint alone was recorded 2,683 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.4% versus 16.4%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.8pp more often than petrol ones (31.1% vs 27.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.1% | 4,406 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 3,009 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.3% | 1,931 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.4% | 1,702 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.1% | 1,415 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.5% | 799 |
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 | 2,683 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,825 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,111 |
| 4 | Washers | 1,077 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,056 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 809 |
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 | 32.4% | 7,499 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.1% | 7,189 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.9% | 6,687 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 3,305 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.2% | 2,356 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 1,873 |
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 | 353 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,539 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 7,061 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 7,583 | 30.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,885 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,666 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 14,168 | 27.3% |
| Diesel | 8,950 | 31.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,018 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 4,963 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 4,780 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 4,366 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 3,991 | 28.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 CLC
On a 2009 CLC, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (19.1% 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 (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.3% 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 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLCs pass their MOT?
71.2% of the 23,118 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLC?
Suspension, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.0%).
Does the 2009 CLC get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,118 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.