Does the Mercedes-Benz CLS fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS records 2.64 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 3.75 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.11, 95% interval −1.21 to −1.01). It ranks 455 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 CLS by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz CLS is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 2,024 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 2,024 | 1.45 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit | 526 | 0.38 |
| Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users | 293 | 0.21 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 172 | 0.12 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed default limit | 121 | 0.09 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 139,937 (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 CLS gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
6.2% of Mercedes-Benz CLS MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,620 miles later (3,953 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 3,953 (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 CLS 2005 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2006 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2007 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2008 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2009 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2010 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2011 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2012 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2013 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2014 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2015 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2016 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2017 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2018 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2019 · Mercedes-Benz CLS 2020 · Mercedes-Benz CLS in Finland · Mercedes-Benz CLS in the Netherlands · Mercedes-Benz CLS by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz CLS body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS steering failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS visibility failures