Used car guide

2004 Mercedes-Benz CL: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mercedes-Benz CL first registered in 2004: we looked at the 639 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

639MOTs of 2004 cars, done in 2023–2025
79%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 57%)
4,800typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Shock absorbers1.9× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CL
    12.7% All 2004 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Better than most

Headlights: 3.4% here, against 13.2% of all 2004 cars. Tyre condition: 7% here, against 14.5% of all 2004 cars.

Common 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    31% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    28% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    19% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    7% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CL?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mercedes-Benz CL compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014278Tyres 27%
2013314Tyres 25%
2012303Brakes 27%
2011331Brakes 23%
2010464Brakes 31%
2009579Brakes 29%
2008696Brakes 28%
20071,296Brakes 31%
2006234Brakes 26%
2005557Brakes 32%
2003868Suspension 30%
20021,132Brakes 35%
2001626Suspension 34%
2000538Suspension 37%
1999–Too few tests
1998140Brakes 31%
1997130Brakes 32%
1996–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mercedes-Benz CL cars first registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score