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Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 398,389 MOT tests of cars first registered 2013–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
81.5%pass first time
+1.5 ptsvs typical car
Beats 62%of cars
398,389MOT tests

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class passes its MOT first time on 81.5% of tests, 1.5 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (80.0%). That puts it ahead of 62% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2014 CLA-Class does best (beats 78% of cars) and the 2018 worst (beats 45%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Petrol does best (beats 74%) and the 1.3 Petrol worst (beats 42%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, brakes, visibility.

Watch these weak spots

Tyres1.4×as often as a typical car
Tyre damage & cracking1.7×as often as a typical car
Airbag warning light4.3×as often as a typical car
Engine warning light1.7×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

60%70%80%90%34567891011121386%84%80%75%72%70%
Mercedes-Benz CLA-ClassTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2013
Beats 73%
2014
Beats 78%
2015
Beats 71%
2016
Beats 65%
2017
Beats 54%
2018
Beats 45%
2019
Beats 46%
2020
Beats 45%
2021
Beats 50%
2022
Beats 51%
2023
Beats 70%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2013–2019172,67179.7%Beats 66%B
1.6 Petrol2013–201996,73380.4%Beats 55%C
1.3 Petrol2019–202364,63085.3%Beats 42%C
2.0 Petrol2014–202235,50684.2%Beats 74%B
2.0 Diesel2019–202213,93886.1%Beats 61%B
1.3 Hybrid2020–202210,77786.1%Beats 65%B
1.8 Diesel2014–20144,13476.2%Beats 74%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 2.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 3.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 8.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 3.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.9 ptsTyres: 8.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−2.6 ptsBrakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.0 ptsSuspension: 2.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.0 ptsExhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.2 ptsSuspension: 2.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 8.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 3.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 3.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.9 ptsTyres: 8.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−2.6 ptsBrakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.0 ptsSuspension: 2.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.0 ptsExhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.2 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 8.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Tyres
8.7% vs 6.1%
Lights & electrics
3.0% vs 5.9%
Brakes
2.9% vs 3.9%
Visibility
2.8% vs 3.7%
Suspension
2.7% vs 3.8%
Emissions & leaks
1.7% vs 1.5%
Seat belts & airbags
1.0% vs 0.4%
Wheels
0.8% vs 0.3%
Body & structure
0.4% vs 1.1%
Steering
0.1% vs 0.8%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking 1.7× typical
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Engine warning light 1.7× typical
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Windscreen washers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k94%87%83%79%75%73%71%69%
Mercedes-Benz CLA-ClassTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking6.1%3.5%1.7×
Tyre tread depth2.5%2.3%1.1×
Brake pads2.0%2.0%1.0×
Windscreen washers1.7%1.5%1.1×
Headlight aim1.5%2.0%0.7×
Coil springs1.4%1.2%1.1×
Engine warning light1.2%0.7%1.7×
Windscreen wipers1.0%2.0%0.5×
Airbag warning light0.8%0.2%4.3×
Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)0.7%0.6%1.1×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A tyre seriously damaged34.0
A tyre cords visible or damaged25.9
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements24.7
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen16.5
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm15.6
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction15.2
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements15.1
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened13.8
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class1 engine88.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol2,15188.3%Beats 70%B
2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class4 engines87.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol10,72087.6%Beats 47%C
1.3 Hybrid3,85584.8%Beats 57%C
2.0 Diesel1,28887.5%Beats 63%B
2.0 Petrol1,22288.1%Beats 45%C
2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class3 engines86.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol16,87686.0%Beats 44%C
2.0 Diesel5,52886.3%Beats 59%C
1.3 Hybrid3,60985.9%Beats 64%B
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class3 engines85.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol18,74684.2%Beats 33%D
2.0 Diesel5,33286.3%Beats 63%B
1.3 Hybrid3,31387.8%Beats 77%B
2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class5 engines84.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol16,13783.7%Beats 42%C
1.6 Petrol11,19683.0%Beats 36%D
2.0 Petrol8,02386.4%Beats 61%B
2.1 Diesel3,09883.5%Beats 54%C
2.0 Diesel1,79084.2%Beats 60%B
2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class3 engines82.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol25,07982.1%Beats 36%D
2.1 Diesel21,19881.8%Beats 51%C
2.0 Petrol3,20386.5%Beats 72%B
2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class3 engines81.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel34,99080.5%Beats 57%C
1.6 Petrol17,30181.3%Beats 43%C
2.0 Petrol4,25383.7%Beats 61%B
2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class3 engines80.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel44,37279.9%Beats 65%B
1.6 Petrol9,68981.1%Beats 61%B
2.0 Petrol6,58483.3%Beats 75%B
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class3 engines79.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel39,20978.9%Beats 70%B
1.6 Petrol14,53780.3%Beats 68%B
2.0 Petrol7,30382.7%Beats 81%A
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class4 engines78.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel20,20777.9%Beats 79%B
1.6 Petrol9,65477.4%Beats 68%B
2.0 Petrol4,91881.6%Beats 88%A
1.8 Diesel4,13476.2%Beats 74%B
2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class2 engines74.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel9,59776.1%Beats 82%A
1.6 Petrol9,27773.1%Beats 63%B

FAQ

What is the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class MOT pass rate?

81.5% of MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class were passed first time, based on 398,389 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2013–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 80.0% of the time.

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 62% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2014 CLA-Class does best for its age and mileage: it beats 78% of cars on UK roads. The 2018 does worst: it beats 45%.

Which Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Petrol does best: it beats 74% of cars on UK roads. The 1.3 Petrol does worst: it beats 42%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, brake pads. Compared with similar cars, tyre damage & cracking comes up 1.7× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.