2008 Mercedes-Benz Clk — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz Clk passed 74.0% of its 17,979 recorded MOT tests. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (21.0% fail rate), the 2008 Clk comes out 4.9pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 17.2% of tests against 8.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, coil spring and rigid brake pipes — ball joint alone was recorded 1,655 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.6% in the 0-30k band and 30.2% in the 150k+ band, a 21.7-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 24.5% fail against 28.3% for diesel, a 3.8-point gap across 17,979 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.2% | 3,097 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 1,557 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 1,522 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.7% | 1,199 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 811 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 437 |
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 | 1,655 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,456 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 834 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 747 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 729 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 573 |
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% | 6,691 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.8% | 5,537 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.7% | 4,615 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.5% | 1,714 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 1,708 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 1,224 |
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 | 351 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,217 | 19.3% |
| 60-90k | 4,880 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 5,348 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,164 | 29.7% |
| 150k+ | 2,001 | 30.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 11,035 | 24.5% |
| Diesel | 6,944 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,956 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 3,828 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 3,631 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 3,421 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 3,143 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Clk
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 17.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (17.2% 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 (8.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.5% 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.
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 2008 Mercedes-Benz Clks pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 17,979 2008 Mercedes-Benz Clk MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Clk?
Suspension, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.7%).
Does the 2008 Clk get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 30.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,979 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.