Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
Registered from 2000 to 2023.
About this model
The Mercedes-Benz CLS is a series of executive cars produced by Mercedes-Benz from December 2003 to August 2023.
From the Wikipedia article Mercedes-Benz CLS, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2013 2.1 diesel. 438 of 2,236 tests failed, 20%.
Better than 47% of 2013 cars. The typical one fails 19%, across 828 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 51% | 223 |
| Suspension | 39% | 171 |
| Brakes | 35% | 153 |
| Lights and electrics | 6% | 26 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 6% | 25 |
| Visibility | 3% | 15 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
Where it stands out against its peers
- Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 94% of 2013 cars — 51% of its 438 failed tests, where an ordinary 2013 car has 29%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 51% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Suspension — 39% of its failures
- 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 — 35% of its failures
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Exhaust and emissions — 6% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 6% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 160–180k miles this one fails 16% of its inspections, against the 24% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 10% | 12% | 62 | |
| 40–60k miles | 15% | 16% | 255 | |
| 60–80k miles | 19% | 20% | 529 | |
| 80–100k miles | 20% | 22% | 528 | |
| 100–120k miles | 23% | 24% | 407 | |
| 120–140k miles | 22% | 24% | 267 | |
| 140–160k miles | 22% | 24% | 101 | |
| 160–180k miles | 16% | 24% | 51 |
2,200 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 80k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.9 diesel · 332 hp · 1935 kg · 2939 mm wheelbase · 7.3 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 2.9 diesel · 335 hp · 1935 kg · 2939 mm wheelbase · 7.3 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 2.9 diesel · 335 hp · 1935 kg · 2939 mm wheelbase · 7.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 1851 kg · 2874 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 1915 kg · 2874 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 1919 kg · 2874 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 1835 kg · 2874 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 1829 kg · 2874 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 3.0 diesel · 262 hp · 1898 kg · 2872 mm wheelbase · 6.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 3.0 diesel · 261 hp · 1875 kg · 2795 mm wheelbase · 6.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 3.0 diesel · 1821 kg · 2857 mm wheelbase · 7.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00017/22
A trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in 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
A12/00045/22
The vacuum-controlled coolant pump may not be tightly sealed between the coolant and vacuum circuits. This may result in the coolant leaking into the vacuum circuit leading to an electrochemical reaction, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in 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
A12/00185/23
The aluminium bolts of the steering box may break. This can lead to detachment of the steering box from the power block, creating a risk of an accident. 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
A12/00391/23
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
A12/00463/24
The 48V ground cable bolt in the engine compartment may be incorrectly secured. This could increase electrical transition resistance at the point of connection. As a result, the high electrical currents that can flow through this connection could increase the temperature, increasing the risk of fire. Furthermore, the 48V electrical power supply failure may increase exhaust emissions. This could have a negative impact on 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
A12/00618/20
Moisture can penetrate into the busbar, giving rise to conductive contacts between the individual lines inside it. The resulting current flows could overheat the plastic material of the busbar, increasing the risk of fire.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00901/22
The screw connection of the 48 V ground connector of the coolant electric compressor may come loose and lead to improper attachment of the ground line cable head. This increases the electrical contact resistance and can cause the temperature at the connection point to increase, increasing the risk of fire. 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
A12/01237/22
The seal for the special plug-in contact of the gearbox designed to protect against contact with moisture and splashing water is improperly installed. Thus splashed water can enter the socket contact when driving in wet conditions and can lead to a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. 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
7 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.