2021 · 3 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA MOT pass rate and common faults

9,061 MOT tests in 2024. 85.9% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

98About average
Passed first time85.9%
Failed or needed repairs14.1%
Typical mileage at test29,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 9,061 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords3.4%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
    244 marked dangerous
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
    220 marked dangerous
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
    120 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp aim: too low0.8%
  7. Headlamp aim: too high0.7%
  8. Brake pads: worn down to wear indicator0.5%
  9. Headlamp: insecure0.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Tyres8.4%
  2. Lights & electrics3.3%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.4%
  4. Brakes2.2%
  5. Number plates & VIN0.6%
  6. Suspension0.5%
  7. Seat belts & airbags0.3%
  8. Emissions & leaks0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.8%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.5%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick6.6%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.7%
  5. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm2.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 CLAAll CLA years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA?

In 2024, 85.9% of 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA cars passed their MOT first time, across 9,061 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).