Does the Mercedes-Benz CLS fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS records 12.68 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 15.63 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−2.95, 95% interval −3.15 to −2.74). It ranks 426 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 CLS by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz CLS is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 5,785 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 5,785 | 4.13 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 4,798 | 3.43 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 3,492 | 2.50 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 2,103 | 1.50 |
| A wheel bearing with excessive play | 324 | 0.23 |
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 suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
17.4% of Mercedes-Benz CLS MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 5,978 miles later (11,230 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 11,230 (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 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS steering failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz CLS visibility failures