2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS passed 76.8% of its 7,229 recorded MOT tests. Executive cars of a similar age fail 20.7% of the time, so this is 2.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.7%) and lighting & signalling (9.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, ball joint and coil spring — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 444 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 22.9% versus 13.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.7% | 704 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 685 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.8% | 565 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.4% | 538 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 266 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.2% | 231 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 444 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 418 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 350 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 319 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 281 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 224 |
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 | 32.0% | 2,313 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.3% | 2,049 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.8% | 1,361 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.4% | 894 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 646 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.6% | 623 |
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 | 66 | 13.6% |
| 30-60k | 552 | 17.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,778 | 21.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,391 | 24.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,628 | 24.4% |
| 150k+ | 812 | 22.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,124 | 23.2% |
| Petrol | 105 | 20.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,613 | 22.4% |
| 2022 | 1,592 | 23.2% |
| 2023 | 1,468 | 23.6% |
| 2024 | 1,344 | 24.0% |
| 2025 | 1,212 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 2010 CLS
On a 2010 CLS, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (9.7% 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 (9.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (7.8% 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 CLSs pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 7,229 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS?
Suspension, recorded in 9.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.5%).
Does the 2010 CLS get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 0-30k band to 22.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,229 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.