Does the Mercedes-Benz CLA fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA records 3.45 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 4.32 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.87, 95% interval −0.95 to −0.79). It ranks 319 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Mercedes-Benz CLA by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz CLA is “A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened”, recorded 3,154 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 3,154 | 1.21 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 2,752 | 1.06 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 1,959 | 0.75 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 823 | 0.32 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 56 | 0.02 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 260,294 (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 CLA gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
12.4% of Mercedes-Benz CLA MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 7,967 miles later (1,874 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,874 (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 CLA 2013 · Mercedes-Benz CLA 2014 · Mercedes-Benz CLA 2015 · Mercedes-Benz CLA 2016 · Mercedes-Benz CLA 2017 · Mercedes-Benz CLA 2018 · Mercedes-Benz CLA 2019 · Mercedes-Benz CLA 2020 · Mercedes-Benz CLA in Norway · Mercedes-Benz CLA in Finland · Mercedes-Benz CLA in the Netherlands · Mercedes-Benz CLA by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz CLA body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz CLA brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz CLA vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz CLA lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz CLA noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz CLA road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz CLA seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz CLA steering failures · Mercedes-Benz CLA tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz CLA visibility failures