2005 Mercedes-Benz Clk — MOT failures & pass rate
28,676 MOT tests on the 2005 Mercedes-Benz Clk are in this dataset, and 73.8% of them passed. That is 4.0 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.2%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 16.2% of all tests — 4.1 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, headlamp aim and coil spring — ball joint alone was recorded 2,280 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.8% once past 150k — 2.7× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.2pp more often than petrol ones (29.4% vs 25.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.2% | 4,632 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 3,443 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 2,250 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.6% | 1,598 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 1,482 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 1,027 |
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 | 2,280 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 2,257 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 2,039 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,492 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 946 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 903 |
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 | 34.0% | 9,740 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.8% | 9,678 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.1% | 7,761 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 4,841 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 2,648 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.1% | 2,612 |
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 | 381 | 10.8% |
| 30-60k | 2,869 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 6,789 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 8,940 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 5,956 | 28.9% |
| 150k+ | 3,663 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 21,750 | 25.2% |
| Diesel | 6,921 | 29.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,125 | 27.0% |
| 2022 | 6,453 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 5,756 | 25.6% |
| 2024 | 5,025 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 4,317 | 25.7% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Clk
On a 2005 Clk, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (16.2% 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 (12.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.8% 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz Clks pass their MOT?
73.8% of the 28,676 2005 Mercedes-Benz Clk MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz Clk?
Suspension, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.0%).
Does the 2005 Clk get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 0-30k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,676 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.