2007 Mercedes-Benz Clk — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Mercedes-Benz Clk passed 73.8% of its 25,849 recorded MOT tests. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (21.6% fail rate), the 2007 Clk comes out 4.6pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 16.9% of all tests — 7.8 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 headlamp aim — ball joint alone was recorded 2,399 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.3% versus 13.9%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.1pp more often than petrol ones (28.2% vs 25.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.9% | 4,369 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 2,360 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.6% | 2,210 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.7% | 1,728 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 1,172 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 959 |
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 | 2,399 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,850 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,308 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 999 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 955 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 942 |
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% | 9,605 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.7% | 8,190 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.3% | 6,786 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 2,676 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.4% | 2,178 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 1,852 |
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 | 469 | 13.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,820 | 19.5% |
| 60-90k | 6,857 | 24.1% |
| 90-120k | 7,552 | 27.7% |
| 120-150k | 4,996 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 3,118 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 16,620 | 25.1% |
| Diesel | 9,229 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,812 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 5,613 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 5,296 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 4,772 | 26.4% |
| 2025 | 4,356 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Clk
On a 2007 Clk, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (16.9% 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 (9.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.6% 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 2007 Mercedes-Benz Clks pass their MOT?
73.8% of the 25,849 2007 Mercedes-Benz Clk MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz Clk?
Suspension, recorded in 16.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.1%).
Does the 2007 Clk get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 25,849 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.