2006 Mercedes-Benz Clk — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 23,012 MOT tests, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz Clk recorded a 74.0% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (21.9% fail rate), the 2006 Clk comes out 4.1pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 16.0% of tests against 9.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, coil spring and headlamp aim — ball joint alone was recorded 2,106 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.3% in the 0-30k band and 30.2% in the 150k+ band, a 15.0-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 25.0% fail against 28.4% for diesel, a 3.4-point gap across 23,012 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.0% | 3,691 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 2,267 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.4% | 1,940 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.3% | 1,454 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 1,259 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 932 |
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 | 2,106 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,366 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,161 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 920 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 897 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 847 |
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 | 37.7% | 8,675 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.1% | 7,620 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.5% | 6,323 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 2,642 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.0% | 2,078 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 1,690 |
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 | 354 | 15.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,406 | 17.8% |
| 60-90k | 5,726 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 6,911 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 4,516 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 3,051 | 30.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 16,327 | 25.0% |
| Diesel | 6,685 | 28.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,499 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 5,070 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 4,693 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 4,176 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 3,574 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Clk
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 16.0% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (16.0% 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 (9.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.4% 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz Clks pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 23,012 2006 Mercedes-Benz Clk MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz Clk?
Suspension, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.8%).
Does the 2006 Clk get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,012 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.