MERCEDES CLA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,609 MOT tests from 640 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every MERCEDES CLA has the same fault.

MERCEDES CLA's have a very good reliability rating of 724/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MERCEDES CLA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

MERCEDES CLA (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2019	750/999Very good	74,977 miles	1,778 vehicles
Petrol	2019	831/999Excellent	73,378 miles	3,113 vehicles
Diesel	2018	725/999Very good	74,156 miles	3,197 vehicles
Petrol	2018	750/999Very good	72,314 miles	1,589 vehicles
Petrol	2017	723/999Very good	70,947 miles	1,974 vehicles
Diesel	2016	705/999Very good	74,467 miles	4,089 vehicles
Petrol	2016	695/999Good	71,628 miles	1,608 vehicles
Diesel	2014	668/999Good	77,582 miles	2,368 vehicles
Petrol	2013	665/999Good	70,702 miles	1,443 vehicles

How reliable is the MERCEDES CLA?

Based on 3,609 MOT tests from 640 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

640

MOT tests

3,609

Pass rate

83.5%

Median mileage

66,729 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MERCEDES CLA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 846 out of 999.

Common MERCEDES CLA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 801 advisory comments and 140 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 222 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 185 advisory comments and 27 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 40 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 38 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 25 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LAMP INDICATES A FAULT (7.1.6 (A))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 18 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN WASHER PROVIDES INSUFFICIENT WASHER LIQUID (3.5 (A))

MERCEDES CLA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	29	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	26	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	18	3	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	53	55	92.7%	Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
2022	58	121	93.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2021	56	184	87.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	48	221	84.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	68	396	83.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	45	333	80.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	69	569	83.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	67	632	81.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	43	450	81.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	34	376	85.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	20	255	82.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used MERCEDES CLA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Buying a MERCEDES CLA?

Common problems tell you what can affect MERCEDES CLAs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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