MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ CLs year 1997

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ CL failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:66.68%

(The average a petrol MERCEDES BENZ CL year 1997 passes without issue)

Based on:2,401 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	134
Brake pipe excessively corroded	129
Headlamp aim out of alignment	129
Registration plate issues	54
Registration plate lamp issues	45
Centre Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	44
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	43
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	39
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	37
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	36
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	31
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	28
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	25
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	25
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	23
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	20
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	19
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	18
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	17
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	17
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	16
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	14
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	14
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	14
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	13
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Windscreen has damage	12
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	12
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	12
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	12
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	11
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	10
Nearside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	10
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	10
Centre Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Rear brake binding	10
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	9
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Offside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Brake hose damaged	8
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Offside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	7
Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault \|3.4.1c\|	7
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	6
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	6
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	6
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))	6
Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	5
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Rear brake application uneven	5
Front passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.4\|	5
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	4
Front Steering damper leaking oil \|2.2.C.1f\|	4
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Offside Front Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	4
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	4
Upper Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	4
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	4
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	4
Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))	4
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))	4
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))	4
Nearside Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	3
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	3
Offside Front Upper Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	3
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	3
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Front Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	3
Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	3
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	3
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	3
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	3
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	3
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	3
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	3
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	3
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))	3
Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))	3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	3
Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))	3
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	3

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Most common failures	No# failures
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	134
Brake pipe excessively corroded	129
Headlamp aim out of alignment	129
Registration plate issues	54
Registration plate lamp issues	45
Centre Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	44
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	43
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	39
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	37
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	36
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	31
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	28
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	25
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	25
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	23
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	20
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	19
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	18
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	17
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	17
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	16
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	14
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	14
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	14
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	13
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Windscreen has damage	12
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	12
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	12
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	12
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	11
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	10
Nearside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	10
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	10
Centre Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Rear brake binding	10
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	9
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Offside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Brake hose damaged	8
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Offside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	7
Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault \|3.4.1c\|	7
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	6
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	6
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	6
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))	6
Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	5
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Rear brake application uneven	5
Front passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.4\|	5
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	4
Front Steering damper leaking oil \|2.2.C.1f\|	4
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Offside Front Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	4
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	4
Upper Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	4
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	4
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	4
Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))	4
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))	4
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))	4
Nearside Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	3
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	3
Offside Front Upper Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	3
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	3
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Front Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	3
Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	3
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	3
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	3
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	3
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	3
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	3
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	3
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	3
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))	3
Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))	3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	3
Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))	3
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	3

MOT History from tests of petrol MERCEDES BENZ CLs year 1997

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