Does the Mercedes-Benz CLC fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz CLC records 4.29 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 5.92 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.63, 95% interval −1.86 to −1.41). It ranks 504 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 CLC by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz CLC is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 611 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 611 | 1.39 |
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 296 | 0.67 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 273 | 0.62 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit | 199 | 0.45 |
| Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 197 | 0.45 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 44,029 (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 CLC gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
5.3% of Mercedes-Benz CLC MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 6,825 miles later (702 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 702 (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 CLC 2008 · Mercedes-Benz CLC 2009 · Mercedes-Benz CLC 2010 · Mercedes-Benz CLC 2011 · Mercedes-Benz CLC by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz CLC body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz CLC brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz CLC vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz CLC lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz CLC road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz CLC seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz CLC steering failures · Mercedes-Benz CLC suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz CLC tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz CLC visibility failures