2010 Mercedes-Benz Clk — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 447 MOT tests, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Clk recorded a 74.5% pass rate. That is 6.5 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 19.0%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 16.8% of all tests — 8.3 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 tread depth — ball joint alone was recorded 32 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.9% in the 30-60k band and 31.6% in the 120-150k band, a 11.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.8% | 75 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 38 |
| 3 | Tyres | 8.3% | 37 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.7% | 30 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 20 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 7 |
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 | 32 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 32 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 27 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 19 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 15 |
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 | 30.2% | 135 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.3% | 131 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.9% | 98 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 46 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 26 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.8% | 26 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 131 | 19.9% |
| 60-90k | 122 | 25.4% |
| 90-120k | 116 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 57 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 258 | 21.3% |
| Diesel | 189 | 31.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 107 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 90 | 23.3% |
| 2023 | 87 | 23.0% |
| 2024 | 83 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 80 | 27.5% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Clk
On a 2010 Clk, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (16.8% 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 (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (8.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2010 Mercedes-Benz Clks pass their MOT?
74.5% of the 447 2010 Mercedes-Benz Clk MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Mercedes-Benz Clk?
Suspension, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.5%).
Does the 2010 Clk get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.9% in the 30-60k band to 31.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 447 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.