Does the Mercedes-Benz CLK fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz CLK records 34.45 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 31.20 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+3.25, 95% interval +2.97 to +3.52). It ranks 158 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 CLK by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz CLK is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 24,894 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 24,894 | 14.20 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 14,544 | 8.30 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 8,438 | 4.81 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 7,103 | 4.05 |
| A wheel bearing with excessive play | 1,060 | 0.60 |
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 suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
26.9% of Mercedes-Benz CLK MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 4,072 miles later (32,620 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 32,620 (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 steering failures · Mercedes-Benz CLK tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz CLK visibility failures