Does the Mercedes-Benz CL fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz CL records 3.13 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 8.04 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−4.91, 95% interval −5.36 to −4.46). It ranks 659 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Mercedes-Benz CL by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz CL is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 158 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 158 | 1.03 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 85 | 0.55 |
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 83 | 0.54 |
| Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 61 | 0.40 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 46 | 0.30 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 15,400 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Mercedes-Benz CL gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
3.6% of Mercedes-Benz CL MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.5 months and 2,690 miles later (662 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 662 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Mercedes-Benz CL 2001 · Mercedes-Benz CL 2002 · Mercedes-Benz CL 2003 · Mercedes-Benz CL 2004 · Mercedes-Benz CL 2005 · 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 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