Does the Mercedes-Benz CLK fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz CLK records 4.32 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 6.10 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.78, 95% interval −1.89 to −1.66). It ranks 454 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Mercedes-Benz CLK by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz CLK is “A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play”, recorded 4,170 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 4,170 | 2.38 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 1,364 | 0.78 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 1,206 | 0.69 |
| A steering ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment | 355 | 0.20 |
| Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is excessive | 107 | 0.06 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 175,310 (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 CLK gets a steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?
12.1% of Mercedes-Benz CLK MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 4,202 miles later (3,574 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 3,574 (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 CLK 1998 · Mercedes-Benz CLK 1999 · Mercedes-Benz CLK 2000 · Mercedes-Benz CLK 2001 · Mercedes-Benz CLK 2002 · Mercedes-Benz CLK 2003 · Mercedes-Benz CLK 2004 · Mercedes-Benz CLK 2005 · Mercedes-Benz CLK 2006 · Mercedes-Benz CLK 2007 · Mercedes-Benz CLK 2008 · Mercedes-Benz CLK 2009 · Mercedes-Benz CLK 2010 · Mercedes-Benz CLK in Norway · Mercedes-Benz CLK in Finland · Mercedes-Benz CLK in the Netherlands · Mercedes-Benz CLK by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz CLK body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz CLK brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz CLK vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz CLK lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz CLK noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz CLK road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz CLK seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz CLK suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz CLK tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz CLK visibility failures