2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS — MOT failures & pass rate
5,128 MOT tests on the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS are in this dataset, and 86.5% of them passed. That is 3.2 percentage points worse than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 10.3%. Failures cluster in tyres, road wheels and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 8.1% of tests against 4.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, tread depth and headlamp aim — ball joint alone was recorded 98 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.5% in the 0-30k band and 15.6% in the 90-120k band, a 4.1-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 17.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 8.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.1% | 414 |
| 2 | Road wheels | 4.4% | 226 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.6% | 84 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 47 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 37 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.6% | 30 |
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 | 98 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 74 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 47 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 41 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 35 |
| 6 | Joints | 27 |
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 | 17.6% | 904 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.8% | 502 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.3% | 269 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.1% | 212 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 117 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.2% | 63 |
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 | 2,084 | 11.5% |
| 30-60k | 2,369 | 14.8% |
| 60-90k | 577 | 15.4% |
| 90-120k | 77 | 15.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,292 | 13.3% |
| Petrol | 488 | 13.9% |
| Hybrid | 348 | 15.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 8.9% |
| 2022 | 1,317 | 12.4% |
| 2023 | 1,285 | 14.3% |
| 2024 | 1,224 | 13.2% |
| 2025 | 1,223 | 14.4% |
What to check before buying a 2019 CLS
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 8.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (8.1% 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.
- Road wheels (4.4% of tests): Damaged or corroded wheels, missing/loose fixings — generally a moderate fix. Typical repair: £80–£250.
- Suspension (1.6% 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 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLSs pass their MOT?
86.5% of the 5,128 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS?
Tyres, recorded in 8.1% of tests, followed by road wheels (4.4%).
Does the 2019 CLS get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 0-30k band to 15.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,128 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.