Common problems by part
Mercedes-Benz CLA suspension problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 39,186 MOT tests · Updated
At 3 years, 0.5 in 100 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz CLA failed on suspension, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 39,186 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 204 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 10 ages from 3 to 12 years, 243,385 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Anti-roll bar link worn, 0.2 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
0.5 fails per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 3 (all test years). That is about average.
Why it matters
A suspension fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Push down hard on each corner: it should rise once and settle. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and look behind each wheel for snapped springs or split rubber bushes.
Mercedes-Benz CLA suspension fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 39,186 | 0.5 | 0.6 |
| 4 | 35,418 | 0.6 | 0.9 |
| 5 | 33,319 | 0.9 | 1.6 |
| 6 | 33,041 | 1.5 | 2.9 |
| 7 | 31,680 | 3.2 | 4.4 |
| 8 | 27,549 | 5.4 | 6.1 |
| 9 | 21,324 | 7.3 | 7.9 |
| 10 | 13,326 | 9.0 | 9.7 |
| 11 | 6,447 | 10.3 | 11.6 |
| 12 | 2,095 | 12.3 | 13.4 |
All first-use years of the Mercedes-Benz CLA pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the suspension at 3 years
Fails
- Anti-roll bar link worn: 0.2 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.0. Replace anti-roll bar link or joint: estimated £33–£102 (0.3–0.8 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £10–£40) Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play: 0.9 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.1. Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play MOT advisory
- Anti-roll bar ball joint: ball joint has slight play: 0.3 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.0. Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play MOT advisory
Replace anti-roll bar link or joint cost
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a Mercedes-Benz CLA? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
By engine and fuel
- 2.1 diesel: 4.0 per 100 at 7 years, about average for diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 18,918 MOT tests)
- 1.6 petrol: 0.2 per 100 at 3 years, about average for petrol class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 2,444 MOT tests)
How to check on a test drive
Push down hard on each corner: it should rise once and settle. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and look behind each wheel for snapped springs or split rubber bushes.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play.
Check one Mercedes-Benz CLA, not the average
The figures here describe Mercedes-Benz CLA cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Mercedes-Benz CLA's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Mercedes-Benz CLA problems
- Mercedes-Benz CLA brakes problems
- Mercedes-Benz CLA lights and electrics problems
- Mercedes-Benz CLA steering problems
- Mercedes-Benz CLA exhaust, emissions and leaks problems
- Mercedes-Benz CLA seat belts and airbags problems
- Mercedes-Benz CLA windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems
- Mercedes-Benz CLA tyres problems
- Mercedes-Benz CLA road wheels problems
Suspension on rival models
- Ford Focus suspension problems: 0.5 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.5 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA (134,403 MOT tests)
- Audi A3 suspension problems: 0.4 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.5 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA (77,290 MOT tests)
- BMW 2 Series suspension problems: 0.2 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.5 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA (54,049 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Mercedes-Benz CLA have more suspension problems than other cars?
0.5 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 39,186 MOT tests).
How common are Mercedes-Benz CLA suspension problems?
0.5 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years failed on suspension, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 39,186 MOT tests).
What is the most common Mercedes-Benz CLA suspension fail?
0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years: Anti-roll bar link worn (91 MOT tests with it).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 243,385 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare