Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
Registered from 1997 to 2015.
About this model
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is a former series of mid-size or entry-level luxury coupés and convertibles produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1996 and 2010. Although its design and styling was derived from the E-Class, the mechanical underpinnings were based on the smaller C-Class, and was positioned between the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class and CL-Class. The name CLK is either derived from the German words "Coupé", "Luxus" (luxury) and "Kurz" (short) or "Coupé", "Leicht" (light) and "Kurz" (short), as the clear definition was never published. It primarily competes with the two-door BMW 3 and 6 Series, as well as the Audi A4 Cabriolet and Audi A5 Coupe/Cabriolet, as well as the Maserati Coupe and its convertible variant.
From the Wikipedia article Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2004 3.2 petrol. 521 of 1,947 tests failed, 27%.
Better than 58% of 2004 cars. The typical one fails 28%, across 750 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 60% | 315 |
| Lights and electrics | 36% | 186 |
| Brakes | 28% | 145 |
| Tyres and wheels | 26% | 133 |
| Steering | 13% | 70 |
| Visibility | 12% | 64 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 60% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Brakes — 28% of its failures
- Tyres and wheels — 26% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Steering — 13% of its failures
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
- Lights and electrics — 36% of its failures
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- Visibility — 12% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 180–200k miles this one fails 31% of its inspections, about what an ordinary car of the same age does.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 7% | 17% | 45 | |
| 40–60k miles | 18% | 22% | 153 | |
| 60–80k miles | 27% | 25% | 309 | |
| 80–100k miles | 27% | 28% | 422 | |
| 100–120k miles | 26% | 29% | 430 | |
| 120–140k miles | 31% | 30% | 279 | |
| 140–160k miles | 32% | 31% | 149 | |
| 160–180k miles | 29% | 31% | 68 | |
| 180–200k miles | 31% | 31% | 42 |
1,897 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 100k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00391/23
Due to improper adhesive bonding of the glass panel to the sliding roof frame, the panel may detach from the moving vehicle, creating a risk of an accident, injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01448/22
Faulty configurations of the control units (traction systems, signal recording triggering modules, engine control units and headlights) could cause one or more control units to malfunction, which could increase the risk of an accident. The exhaust emissions exceed the legal limits, posing a risk to the environment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users