Used car guide · 2013–2026

Mercedes-Benz CLA common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mercedes-Benz CLA, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 191,102 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

191,102MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
124,043on the UK register
3known faults across all years
2014best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013

What usually goes wrong with a Mercedes-Benz CLA?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Many recalls (25)

    Cars registered 2013–2019 · All engines

    The CLA has had 25 recalls, including seatbelt anchors, airbags, driveshafts, brake servos and airbag seat sensors.

    At the viewing: Ask a Mercedes dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Auto Express: used Mercedes CLA (Mk1, 2013-2019) problems and recalls

  • Seven recalls: airbag, turbo oil line, gearbox, ECU

    Cars registered 2020–2025 · Some cars

    Recalls covered a driver's airbag that might not be bolted down, a leaking turbo oil line, a gearbox that might not select Drive or Reverse, an engine ECU contact, radar software, the air con refrigerant and a generator gas line.

    At the viewing: Ask a Mercedes dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: What Car?: used Mercedes CLA (2019 on) reliability

  • Fuel flap stuck shut

    Cars registered 2013–2019 · All engines

    Faulty solenoids can stop the fuel filler flap opening.

    At the viewing: Open the fuel flap.

    Source: Auto Express: used Mercedes CLA (Mk1, 2013-2019) problems and recalls

Common Mercedes-Benz CLA MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 5.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Airbag warning light

    up to 7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014 and 2017.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Wheels

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 7.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013 and 2018.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Brake pads

    up to 1.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

Diesel

  • Wheels

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

  • Engine warning light

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 6.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Airbag warning light

    up to 7.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Hybrid

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 30× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Tyre condition

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

Mercedes-Benz CLA MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA did best (74% passed first time, 4 points above all 2014 cars) and the 2022 did worst (87%, 2 points below all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202392%92% +0718
202287%89% -211,836
202186%87% -119,309
202085%87% -222,369
201984%85% -124,621
201881%83% -224,892
201779%80% -124,590
201677%77% +022,940
201576%74% +220,524
201474%70% +412,973
201371%67% +46,330

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mercedes-Benz CLA

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

  1. Have all the recalls been done? Can a Mercedes dealer confirm from the VIN?
  2. Have all the recalls been done, especially the airbag and turbo oil line?
  3. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the Mercedes-Benz CLA as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the Mercedes-Benz CLA as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 6.3× as often on the Mercedes-Benz CLA as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CLA?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score