Used car guide

2005 Mercedes-Benz CL: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mercedes-Benz CL first registered in 2005: we looked at the 557 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

557MOTs of 2005 cars, done in 2023–2025
79%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)
5,000typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Shock absorbers2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CL
    13.3% All 2005 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.7% of all 2005 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: 3.8% here, against 13.5% of all 2005 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.7% here, against 10.5% of all 2005 cars.

Common 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    32% 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
    31% 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.

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 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 2× as often on the 2005 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%
2004639Brakes 31%
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 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score