2011 Mercedes-Benz CLC: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLC?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLC than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Ball joint2.8× usual
  Mercedes-Benz CLC

  16% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.8%, against 3.1% of all 2011 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.

• Rigid brake pipes2× usual
  Mercedes-Benz CLC

  11.6% All 2011 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Individual direction indicators2.6× usual
  Mercedes-Benz CLC

  7.7% All 2011 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Exhaust system1.8× usual
  Mercedes-Benz CLC

  10.5% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.7% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Wheel bearings2.9× usual
  Mercedes-Benz CLC

  5% All 2011 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.7% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Common 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLC MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  38% 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
  35% 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
  33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  28% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  11% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLC

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 2.8× as often on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLC as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLC as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLC as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?