Used car guide

2014 Mercedes-Benz CL: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mercedes-Benz CL first registered in 2014: we looked at the 278 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 278 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

278MOTs of 2014 cars, done in 2023–2025
81%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 70%)
6,200typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for ball joint

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CL?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CL than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Ball joint3.3× usual
    Mercedes-Benz CL
    12.2% All 2014 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2014 Mercedes-Benz CL MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 Mercedes-Benz CL MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    27% 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.

  • Brakes
    25% 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
    21% 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
    9% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    1% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2014 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 ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2014 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
2013314Tyres 25%
2012303Brakes 27%
2011331Brakes 23%
2010464Brakes 31%
2009579Brakes 29%
2008696Brakes 28%
20071,296Brakes 31%
2006234Brakes 26%
2005557Brakes 32%
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 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score