Does the Mercedes-Benz CLS fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?

The Mercedes-Benz CLS records 4.90 visibility failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 7.95 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−3.05, 95% interval −3.20 to −2.91). It ranks 615 of 746 models on visibility (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on visibility · check a Mercedes-Benz CLS by registration

What exactly fails on visibility?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz CLS is “Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view”, recorded 3,395 times in 2019–2024.

Mercedes-Benz CLS: most frequent visibility defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wording	Items	Per 100 tests
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view	3,395	2.43
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	1,034	0.74
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	953	0.68
Wiper blade defective	742	0.53
Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose	218	0.16

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

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Does the Mercedes-Benz CLS fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?

What exactly fails on visibility?

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