2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,261 MOT tests, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS recorded an 85.9% pass rate. Against executive cars of a similar age (12.7% fail rate), the 2016 CLS comes out 1.4pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 8.7% of all tests — 6.1 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, malfunction indicator lamp and coil spring — tread depth alone was recorded 293 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.8% once past 150k — 2.0× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.7% | 1,071 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.6% | 323 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.4% | 298 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 289 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 233 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.6% | 79 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 293 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 275 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 198 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 172 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 143 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 86 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.3% | 2,738 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.4% | 1,883 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.2% | 883 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.1% | 627 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 342 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.5% | 188 |
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 | 1,173 | 9.2% |
| 30-60k | 5,276 | 12.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,984 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,342 | 17.9% |
| 120-150k | 348 | 17.0% |
| 150k+ | 138 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,785 | 14.2% |
| Petrol | 476 | 12.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,432 | 11.1% |
| 2022 | 2,466 | 13.5% |
| 2023 | 2,482 | 14.7% |
| 2024 | 2,450 | 15.9% |
| 2025 | 2,431 | 15.3% |
What to check before buying a 2016 CLS
On a 2016 CLS, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (8.7% 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.
- Brakes (2.6% 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.
- Suspension (2.4% 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.
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 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLSs pass their MOT?
85.9% of the 12,261 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS?
Tyres, recorded in 8.7% of tests, followed by brakes (2.6%).
Does the 2016 CLS get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.2% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,261 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.