Car statistics by year
2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class cars first registered in 2003: how they did at their 2025 MOT, what failed them, how far they have been driven and how many are still on the road. Compared with every car first registered in 2003, so like is set against like.
- MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 65.8% All 2003 cars 58.9%
- Typical mileage at the MOT 102,700 miles; all 2003 cars 100,300
- Left at the end of 2025 3,320 45.7% of the 7,262 at the end of 2014
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 8.0% All 2003 cars 9.1%
- Tests with an advisory 66.0% All 2003 cars 69.0%
- MOT tests in 2025 2,427 normal tests in Great Britain
How do 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Classes do at their MOT?
In 2025, at about 22 years old, 65.8% of 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class MOT tests were passed first time, against 58.9% for all cars first registered in 2003. 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Classes did better than average for their age, by 6.9 points. A year earlier the same cars passed 63.7% of the time (all 2003 cars 57.4%).
MOT pass rate by year of first registration: Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class vs all cars
Each pair of bars is one year of first registration, tested in 2025. Older cars pass less often, so compare each Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class bar with the all-cars bar beside it.
| First registered | Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| ’99 | 68.4% | 65.4% |
| ’00 | 70.8% | 63.1% |
| ’01 | 69.0% | 61.5% |
| ’02 | 65.5% | 59.7% |
| ’03 | 65.8% | 58.9% |
| ’04 | 63.0% | 57.9% |
| ’05 | 62.2% | 57.7% |
| ’06 | 62.3% | 56.9% |
| ’07 | 60.5% | 57.3% |
| ’08 | 60.7% | 57.0% |
| ’09 | 60.6% | 58.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
Coil spring: fractured or broken was the most common single reason a 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class failed, on 15.7% of about 800 failed tests. By area of the car, suspension failed most often (45.6% of failed tests; all 2003 cars 37.7%). 8.0% of tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 9.1% for all cars first registered in 2003. A failed test can have several defects, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common reasons for failure
Share of failed tests with each defect. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 15.7% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 13.1% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.1% |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 10.4% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 8.3% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 7.7% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.9% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.8% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.7% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 5.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Failure categories: Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class vs all 2003 cars
The marker shows the share for all cars first registered the same year.
| Category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 45.6% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 42.2% |
| Brakes | 23.2% |
| Tyres | 19.1% |
| Visibility | 14.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.4% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 11.0% |
| Steering | 8.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT advisories on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
An advisory is something the tester noticed that did not fail the test but may need work soon. 66.0% of 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class tests had at least one (all 2003 cars 69.0%). These are the things to check on one you are thinking of buying.
Most common advisories
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 19.6% |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 16.9% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.8% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 9.1% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 8.5% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 8.1% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 8.1% |
| Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated Brakes | 6.6% |
| Wheel bearings: slight play Suspension | 6.6% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 6.3% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
What mileage is normal for a 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class?
Half of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Classes tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 102,700 miles. A quarter had covered fewer than 77,700 and a quarter more than 127,700. For all cars first registered in 2003, the middle figure was 100,300 miles, so 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Classes have been driven about as far as average.
Mileage at the 2025 MOT
Odometer readings at each car’s latest MOT of the year. The bar covers the middle half of cars; the line the middle 80%.
| 10% | 25% | Median | 75% | 90% | Cars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class | 55,000 | 77,700 | 102,700 | 127,700 | 152,600 | 2,314 |
| All 2003 cars | 50,300 | 72,000 | 100,300 | 133,000 | 167,000 | 234,392 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
How many 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Classes are left?
At the end of 2014, 7,262 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Classes were on the DVLA record in the United Kingdom (these counts start in 2014). By the end of 2025, 3,320 were: 1,859 licensed and 1,461 declared off the road (SORN). That is 45.7% still on the record, against 23.0% for all cars first registered in 2003.
Share still on the record since 2014
Cars licensed or SORN at each year end, as a share of the number at the end of 2014. Cars scrapped or exported leave the record. Late registrations and imports can push the share above 100%.
| Year end | 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class | All 2003 cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| 2015 | 97.1% | 91.9% |
| 2016 | 93.8% | 82.8% |
| 2017 | 88.9% | 71.0% |
| 2018 | 83.5% | 59.8% |
| 2019 | 77.5% | 50.5% |
| 2020 | 72.5% | 43.6% |
| 2021 | 66.6% | 37.0% |
| 2022 | 60.7% | 32.6% |
| 2023 | 55.7% | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 49.9% | 25.6% |
| 2025 | 45.7% | 23.0% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2025 Updated
Recalls that may affect cars built around 2003
2 of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class’s 5 recalls in DVSA’s records cover cars built during 2003.
The 2003 on this page is the year of first registration, not the year the car was built. A car first registered early in 2003 may have been built in 2002, and recalls apply to particular build dates and VINs, so check the recalls either side too.
| Launched | Concern | Built | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Feb 2023 | The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame might not meet specifications. | 6 Mar 2002 to 24 Oct 2008 | 3,267 (all models) |
| 4 May 2020 | The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may not meet specifications | 24 Mar 2000 to 15 Jul 2010 | 18,132 (all models) |
Every Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class recall · Check a specific car on GOV.UK · How we match recalls
Recall details come from manufacturers through DVSA. “Vehicles” is the number the manufacturer reported; “all models” means the figure covers everything in the recall. A recall listed here may not apply to a particular car: only the manufacturer or GOV.UK can say for its VIN.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
Other years of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
11 years of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2000 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (70.8% passed first time) and the 2009 cars worst (60.6%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | – | 1,410 | 68.4% |
| 2000 | – | 1,626 | 70.8% |
| 2001 | – | 1,934 | 69.0% |
| 2002 | – | 1,976 | 65.5% |
| 2003 | – | 3,320 | 65.8% |
| 2004 | – | 4,063 | 63.0% |
| 2005 | – | 3,974 | 62.2% |
| 2006 | – | 3,218 | 62.3% |
| 2007 | – | 3,611 | 60.5% |
| 2008 | – | 2,454 | 60.7% |
| 2009 | – | 2,728 | 60.6% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
Data sources and methodology
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 2,427 MOT tests of 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class cars | 15 September 2026 |
| Cars on the record | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of 2025 | 3,320 cars still on the record (licensed or SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
- MOT figures cover normal tests in Great Britain in 2025 of Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class cars first registered in 2003; retests are excluded. “All cars” means every car we match to a model, first registered in 2003.
- Year of first registration is DVSA’s first-use date: when the car was first registered, in the UK or abroad.
- Defects and advisories are DVSA’s descriptions made readable. Where on the car a defect was found (side, front or rear) is ignored, so the same fault on any wheel counts once per test.
- Mileage is the odometer reading at each car’s latest normal MOT of the year, as recorded by the tester. A few readings are in kilometres or mistyped; percentiles are not thrown by a handful of outliers.
- Cars on the record come from DfT table VEH0124 and cover the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland; MOT figures cover Great Britain only.
- DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.