MOT failure data · 2025

Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT problems

Across every Mercedes-Benz CLC that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was ball joint ball joint excessively worn, on 11.46% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 36.25%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Ball joint ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	11.46%
2	Coil spring fractured or broken	Suspension	7.58%
3	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	4.28%
4	Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn	Suspension	3.99%
5	Linkage ball joint dust cover ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Suspension	3.55%
6	Rigid brake pipes excessively corroded	Brakes	3.49%
7	Track rod end ball joint has excessive play	Steering	3.18%
8	Rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements	Brakes	2.85%
9	Ball joint dust cover ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Suspension	2.51%
10	Individual direction indicators incorrect colour	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	2.45%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Mercedes-Benz CLC, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Mercedes-Benz CLC buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Mercedes-Benz CLC?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT FAQs

What does a Mercedes-Benz CLC most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Mercedes-Benz CLC cars failing their 2025 MOT was "ball joint ball joint excessively worn", appearing on 11.46% of failure items.

Does this mean my Mercedes-Benz CLC will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Mercedes-Benz CLC that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Mercedes-Benz CLC passed 62.79% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Mercedes-Benz CLC's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.