MERCEDES CLK Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,768 MOT tests from 169 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 CLK has the same fault.

MERCEDES CLK's have a average reliability rating of 469/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MERCEDES CLK 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 CLK (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	527/999Above average	87,078 miles	1,479 vehicles
N/A	N/A	494/999Average	80,624 miles	4,141 vehicles
N/A	N/A	480/999Average	77,442 miles	1,065 vehicles
N/A	N/A	469/999Average	77,538 miles	3,363 vehicles
N/A	N/A	423/999Average	79,158 miles	1,213 vehicles
N/A	N/A	418/999Average	75,797 miles	667 vehicles

How reliable is the MERCEDES CLK?

Based on 3,768 MOT tests from 169 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

169

MOT tests

3,768

Pass rate

75.5%

Median mileage

95,196 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MERCEDES CLK has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 496 out of 999.

Common MERCEDES CLK 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 487 advisory comments and 124 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: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 338 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 53 advisory comments and 120 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 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: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 67 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 58 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 54 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 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 (3.5.1G)

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 35 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 parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 26 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 (8.2.1.2 (H))

MERCEDES CLK 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
2009	13	266	71.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008	12	255	72.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	28	590	76.3%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2006	19	416	76.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2005	28	641	75.7%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2004	27	677	74.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2003	10	251	72.9%	Corrosion, Coil spring issues
2002	9	196	73.5%	Corrosion, Brake disc wear
2001	6	151	80.1%	Coil spring issues, Tyre wear
2000	7	154	82.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used MERCEDES CLK

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.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
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.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
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.

Buying a MERCEDES CLK?

Common problems tell you what can affect MERCEDES CLKs 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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