Used car guide

2010 Mercedes-Benz CLK petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Mercedes-Benz CLK first registered in 2010 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 115 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 115 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

115MOTs of 2010 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
70%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 60%)
4,400typical miles a year
38%had suspension flagged

Common 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLK petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLK petrol 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.

  • Brakes
    34% 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.

  • Tyres
    25% 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
    16% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% 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 an engine warning light.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% 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 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLK petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz CLK?

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Other years

Every year of the Mercedes-Benz CLK compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20098,686Suspension 44%
20087,848Suspension 46%
200711,119Suspension 47%
20069,698Suspension 46%
200511,839Suspension 47%
200411,851Suspension 48%
20038,824Suspension 44%
20024,862Brakes 42%
20014,042Brakes 39%
20003,319Brakes 40%
19992,494Brakes 40%
1998686Suspension 40%
1997–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 CLK cars first registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score