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Common problems by part

Mercedes-Benz CLK body and structure problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 16,271 MOT tests · Updated

At 18 years, 2.4 in 100 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz CLK failed on body and structure, against 8.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 16,271 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: fails less often than all class 4 vehicles the same age (0.2–0.3×) (all test years), 383 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 13 ages from 13 to 25 years, 121,510 MOT tests
  • MOT tests at 18 years: 16,271 for the Mercedes-Benz CLK

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

2.4 fails per 100 MOT tests at 18 years, against 8.7 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 18 (all test years). The Mercedes-Benz CLK fails less often here.

Why it matters

A body and structure fail stops the car passing until it is fixed.

What to check

Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.

Mercedes-Benz CLK body and structure fails by age

Mercedes-Benz CLK body and structure fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Mercedes-Benz CLK. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.051013 years: 2.1 per 100 (all cars 5.0), 3,310 MOT tests1314 years: 1.9 per 100 (all cars 5.9), 6,134 MOT tests15 years: 2.2 per 100 (all cars 6.7), 10,186 MOT tests1516 years: 2.0 per 100 (all cars 7.6), 13,481 MOT tests17 years: 2.2 per 100 (all cars 8.3), 14,881 MOT tests1718 years: 2.4 per 100 (all cars 8.7), 16,271 MOT tests19 years: 2.5 per 100 (all cars 9.0), 15,419 MOT tests1920 years: 2.6 per 100 (all cars 9.2), 13,220 MOT tests21 years: 3.5 per 100 (all cars 9.3), 10,286 MOT tests2122 years: 3.6 per 100 (all cars 9.4), 7,370 MOT tests23 years: 4.3 per 100 (all cars 9.5), 5,321 MOT tests2324 years: 4.6 per 100 (all cars 9.4), 3,553 MOT tests25 years: 4.6 per 100 (all cars 9.3), 2,078 MOT tests25
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Mercedes-Benz CLK All class 4 vehicles the same age Shaded: over 18 years, survivors only.
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
133,3102.15.0
146,1341.95.9
1510,1862.26.7
1613,4812.07.6
1714,8812.28.3
1816,2712.48.7
19*15,4192.59.0
20*13,2202.69.2
21*10,2863.59.3
22*7,3703.69.4
23*5,3214.39.5
24*3,5534.69.4
25*2,0784.69.3

All first-use years of the Mercedes-Benz CLK pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.

What fails in the body and structure at 18 years

Advisories (not fails)

Re-secure exhaust (hanger or clamp) cost

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  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

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How to check on a test drive

Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Exhaust system: mounting defective.

Check one Mercedes-Benz CLK, not the average

The figures here describe Mercedes-Benz CLK cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

Other Mercedes-Benz CLK problems

Body and structure on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Mercedes-Benz CLK have more body and structure problems than other cars?

0.2 to 0.3 times the body and structure fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 18 years (all test years), from 16,271 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 0.8 in the same direction at 5 of the 13 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).

How common are Mercedes-Benz CLK body and structure problems?

2.4 in 100 MOT tests at 18 years failed on body and structure, against 8.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 16,271 MOT tests).

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 121,510 MOT tests. 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