2001 Mercedes-Benz Clk — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 Mercedes-Benz Clk passed 78.5% of its 9,981 recorded MOT tests. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail at 22.5%, so the 2001 Clk sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.5% of all tests — 6.0 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 661 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 28.6% versus 15.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.1% in 2021 to 20.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 1,348 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.5% | 754 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.3% | 732 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.4% | 543 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 417 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 406 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 661 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 547 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 392 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 371 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 334 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 271 |
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 | 37.2% | 3,710 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.5% | 2,943 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.9% | 2,583 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 1,697 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.4% | 1,537 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.5% | 1,245 |
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 | 174 | 15.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,025 | 15.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,442 | 17.7% |
| 90-120k | 3,078 | 22.4% |
| 120-150k | 2,078 | 24.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,166 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,827 | 22.1% |
| 2022 | 2,303 | 21.9% |
| 2023 | 1,941 | 21.4% |
| 2024 | 1,597 | 21.4% |
| 2025 | 1,313 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Clk
On a 2001 Clk, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.5% 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.
- Suspension (7.3% 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.
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 2001 Mercedes-Benz Clks pass their MOT?
78.5% of the 9,981 2001 Mercedes-Benz Clk MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz Clk?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by brakes (7.5%).
Does the 2001 Clk get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.5% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,981 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.