Mercedes-Benz CL 2005: MOT failure rate for its age
22.2% of 639 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz CL first registered in 2005 failed at the first attempt (2019–2024; retests excluded). Against this model's own normal rate at the same ages the index is 108.1 (95% CI 90.3–125.9; 100 = normal for this model at that age): the 2005 build year is no different from other years of the same model at the same age. This is a rough estimate from a smaller sample.
| Measure | Value | Unit | Compared with | Years | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Failed first time | 22.2 | % | all ages tested | 2019–2024 | 639 |
| Index against this model at the same age (95% CI 90.3–125.9) | 108.1 | index | 100 = normal for this model at that age | 2019–2024 | 639 |
| Rank among this model's 9 build years | 6 | of 9 | 1 = fails least for its age | 2019–2024 | 639 |
| Tested in 2024 | 178 | tests | median 95,331 miles | 2024 | 178 |
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · full dataset (v5).
How does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL fail at each age?
Cars built in 2005 were tested at ages 16 to 19 between 2019 and 2024. Each row compares their first-time failure share with what this model normally shows at that age, after allowing for the overall failure level of each test year.
| Age | Tests | Failed, % | 95% interval | Normal for this model at that age, % | Index (100 = normal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 243 (rough estimate) | 23.9 | 18.9–29.6 | 17.5 | 136.7 |
| 17 | 218 (rough estimate) | 21.1 | 16.2–27 | 17.5 | 120.7 |
| 18 | 203 (rough estimate) | 23.6 | 18.3–29.9 | not available | not available |
| 19 | 178 (rough estimate) | 21.3 | 16–27.9 | 28.6 | 74.8 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 842 (initial tests) · Method: normal rate = this model's first-time failure share at that age across its build years (cells of 400+ tests), adjusted for each test year's overall level; cells of 30+ tests, under 500 marked rough · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
What fails most on the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL?
The most common failure group on cars built in 2005 is suspension: 14.1 items per 100 first tests, against 14.4 across all build years of the Mercedes-Benz CL. These counts are not age-adjusted: cars built in 2005 were tested at ages 16 to 19.
| Failure group | Built 2005, per 100 | All build years, per 100 | Items |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 14.1 | 14.4 | 121 |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 13.4 | 12.5 | 115 |
| Brakes | 9.4 | 12.8 | 81 |
| Visibility | 8.3 | 7.3 | 71 |
| Tyres | 7.2 | 7.6 | 62 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 859 (initial tests of this build year) · Method: failure items grouped by DVSA's top-level defect groups, per 100 initial tests; groups with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
How does 2005 compare with the years around it?
Among the 9 published build years of the Mercedes-Benz CL, 2005 ranks 6 (1 = fails least for its age). 2004: index 94.1. 2006: index 140.1.
| Build year | Index (100 = normal) | 95% interval | Verdict | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 113.1 | 95.5–130.7 | no different (rough estimate) | 588 |
| 2002 | 104.9 | 94.4–115.4 | no different (rough estimate) | 1,440 |
| 2003 | 100.1 | 88.1–112.1 | no different (rough estimate) | 1,085 |
| 2004 | 94.1 | 79.5–108.6 | no different (rough estimate) | 738 |
| 2005 | 108.1 | 90.3–125.9 | no different (rough estimate) | 639 |
| 2006 | 140.1 | 106.6–173.7 | worse (rough estimate) | 257 |
| 2007 | 102.3 | 92.0–112.5 | no different (rough estimate) | 1,897 |
| 2008 | 112.8 | 95.4–130.3 | no different (rough estimate) | 710 |
| 2009 | 105.6 | 83.9–127.4 | no different (rough estimate) | 403 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 7,757 (initial tests) · Method: observed failures against those expected for the same model at the same ages, test-year level adjusted; verdict follows the printed one-decimal bound · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
How to cite this page
MOT Risk Index (2026). Mercedes-Benz CL 2005 MOT statistics (data release dvsa-2024-v2; full dataset motriskindex-families-2024-v5, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.22975051), updated 30 September 2026. motriskindex.co.uk/cars/mercedes-cl/2005/
How every figure is calculated: methodology. Age, test year and build year are tied together (age = test year − build year), so the test-year level is taken as observed, not estimated.
Other pages for this model
Mercedes-Benz CL 2001 · Mercedes-Benz CL 2002 · Mercedes-Benz CL 2003 · Mercedes-Benz CL 2004 · Mercedes-Benz CL 2006 · Mercedes-Benz CL 2007 · Mercedes-Benz CL 2008 · Mercedes-Benz CL 2009 · Mercedes-Benz CL by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz CL body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz CL brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz CL vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz CL lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz CL noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz CL road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz CL seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz CL steering failures · Mercedes-Benz CL suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz CL tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz CL visibility failures