2010 Mercedes-Benz CLC — MOT failures & pass rate
17,103 MOT tests on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLC are in this dataset, and 72.1% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 19.1% of the time, so this is 8.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 18.4% 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 1,973 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 31.4% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.1pp more often than petrol ones (29.3% vs 27.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.4% | 3,140 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 2,123 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.2% | 1,233 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.1% | 1,215 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.1% | 876 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 495 |
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 | 1,973 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,306 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 865 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 733 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 600 |
| 6 | Washers | 549 |
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 | 28.6% | 4,886 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.9% | 4,763 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.7% | 4,736 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 2,296 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.0% | 1,543 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 1,294 |
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 | 296 | 15.2% |
| 30-60k | 2,607 | 21.8% |
| 60-90k | 6,026 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 5,244 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 2,176 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 748 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 11,937 | 27.2% |
| Diesel | 5,166 | 29.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,610 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 3,556 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 3,506 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 3,279 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 3,152 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2010 CLC
On a 2010 CLC, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.4% 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 (12.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.2% 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 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLCs pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 17,103 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLC?
Suspension, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.4%).
Does the 2010 CLC get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.2% in the 0-30k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,103 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.