Car statistics
How many Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 22,322 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 19,639 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 4,449 declared off the road (SORN). That is 28.6% fewer than the peak of 27,508 in 2017.
Numbers peaked in 2017 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 2,941 |
| 2006 | 7,012 |
| 2007 | 10,559 |
| 2008 | 12,450 |
| 2009 | 13,813 |
| 2010 | 14,884 |
| 2011 | 17,337 |
| 2012 | 18,293 |
| 2013 | 21,381 |
| 2014 | 22,721 |
| 2015 | 25,405 |
| 2016 | 27,164 |
| 2017 | 27,508 |
| 2018 | 27,256 |
| 2019 | 26,874 |
| 2020 | 26,247 |
| 2021 | 25,608 |
| 2022 | 24,626 |
| 2023 | 23,126 |
| 2024 | 21,430 |
| 2025 | 20,131 |
| 2026 | 19,639 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
3 versions of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class have their own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.
| Version | Licensed | SORN |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS350 | 1,076 | 245 |
| Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS350 Grand Edit-N | 693 | 208 |
| Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS 55 AMG | 175 | 134 |
In 2025, 74.6% of Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes tested pass 68.5% of the time, so the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class does better than average for its age, by 6.1 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 73.7%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 79.9% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 82.4% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 79.3% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 73.2% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 68.2% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 71.2% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Tyres is the most common reason a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class fails its MOT, appearing on 37.0% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 10.3% of Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres | 37.0% |
| Suspension | 34.4% |
| Brakes | 24.0% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 19.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.6% |
| Visibility | 7.7% |
| Road wheels | 6.9% |
| Steering | 4.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class failed its MOT in 2025 was “Coil spring: fractured or broken”, on 13.5% of 5,678 failed tests. 52.1% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 13.5% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 12.1% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 10.4% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.1% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 7.7% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded Brakes | 7.6% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 6.9% |
| Road wheels: fractured Road wheels | 4.6% |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Suspension | 4.4% |
| Tyres: tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Tyres | 4.4% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 19.8% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 12.6% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 8.3% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 7.6% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.5% |
| Wheel bearings: slight play Suspension | 4.8% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 4.2% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 4.1% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint has slight play Suspension | 3.7% |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes | 3.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
15 years of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-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 2006 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (70.5% passed first time) and the 2019 cars worst (82.8%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | – | 1,180 | 71.3% |
| 2006 | – | 1,689 | 70.5% |
| 2007 | – | 1,902 | 67.6% |
| 2008 | – | 1,404 | 68.8% |
| 2009 | – | 1,120 | 66.5% |
| 2010 | – | 1,066 | 66.0% |
| 2011 | – | 1,315 | 73.9% |
| 2012 | – | 1,369 | 73.8% |
| 2013 | – | 3,148 | 72.1% |
| 2014 | 2,147 | 1,768 | 74.7% |
| 2015 | 3,402 | 2,846 | 78.6% |
| 2016 | 2,422 | 2,086 | 79.6% |
| 2017 | 1,579 | 1,489 | 79.9% |
| 2018 | 1,071 | 939 | 82.3% |
| 2019 | 1,055 | 1,072 | 82.8% |
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.
The average Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class covers 7,302 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 8,605 |
| 6–7 years | 8,734 |
| 8–10 years | 8,340 |
| 11–14 years | 7,411 |
| 15–19 years | 5,745 |
| 20+ years | 4,024 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 4,249 in 2013. In 2025, 9 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 0 |
| ’02 | 0 |
| ’03 | 0 |
| ’04 | 0 |
| ’05 | 2,947 |
| ’06 | 4,191 |
| ’07 | 3,904 |
| ’08 | 2,602 |
| ’09 | 1,674 |
| ’10 | 1,558 |
| ’11 | 3,383 |
| ’12 | 2,899 |
| ’13 | 4,249 |
| ’14 | 2,250 |
| ’15 | 3,596 |
| ’16 | 2,525 |
| ’17 | 1,785 |
| ’18 | 1,160 |
| ’19 | 1,269 |
| ’20 | 363 |
| ’21 | 273 |
| ’22 | 82 |
| ’23 | 24 |
| ’24 | 1 |
| ’25 | 9 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 20,814 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 57.2% have an engine of 2,901cc to 3,000cc, and 31.7% have an engine of 2,101cc to 2,200cc. The share with an engine of 2,101cc to 2,200cc has grown from 17.4% in 2014 to 31.7%. Petrols made up 13.9% of those licensed in 2014 and 9.8% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 2,901cc to 3,000cc 11,896 licensed | 57.2% |
| 2,101cc to 2,200cc 6,598 licensed | 31.7% |
| 3,401cc to 3,500cc 900 licensed | 4.3% |
| 5,401cc to 5,500cc 631 licensed | 3.0% |
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 423 licensed | 2.0% |
| 4,901cc to 5,000cc 282 licensed | 1.4% |
| Other sizes 84 licensed | 0.4% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,901–3,000cc | Diesel | 11,678 | 56.1% |
| 2,101–2,200cc | Diesel | 6,598 | 31.7% |
| 3,401–3,500cc | Petrol | 897 | 4.3% |
| 5,401–5,500cc | Petrol | 631 | 3.0% |
| 4,901–5,000cc | Petrol | 275 | 1.3% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Diesel | 272 | 1.3% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 2,901–3,000cc | 2,101–2,200cc | 3,401–3,500cc | 5,401–5,500cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 68.7% | 17.4% | 6.5% | 4.0% |
| 2015 | 63.7% | 23.2% | 6.1% | 3.8% |
| 2016 | 61.5% | 26.3% | 5.7% | 3.6% |
| 2017 | 60.4% | 27.9% | 5.5% | 3.6% |
| 2018 | 61.5% | 27.2% | 5.2% | 3.5% |
| 2019 | 61.7% | 27.1% | 5.0% | 3.4% |
| 2020 | 61.5% | 27.0% | 4.8% | 3.3% |
| 2021 | 61.2% | 27.2% | 4.7% | 3.2% |
| 2022 | 60.4% | 28.1% | 4.6% | 3.1% |
| 2023 | 59.3% | 29.2% | 4.6% | 3.1% |
| 2024 | 58.2% | 30.6% | 4.4% | 3.0% |
| 2025 | 57.2% | 31.7% | 4.3% | 3.0% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 86.1% | 13.9% | 0.0% |
| 2015 | 87.0% | 13.0% | 0.0% |
| 2016 | 87.8% | 12.1% | 0.0% |
| 2017 | 88.3% | 11.7% | 0.0% |
| 2018 | 88.2% | 11.8% | 0.0% |
| 2019 | 88.1% | 11.8% | 0.0% |
| 2020 | 88.5% | 11.4% | 0.1% |
| 2021 | 88.7% | 10.8% | 0.4% |
| 2022 | 88.8% | 10.4% | 0.8% |
| 2023 | 88.8% | 10.2% | 0.9% |
| 2024 | 89.0% | 10.0% | 1.0% |
| 2025 | 89.1% | 9.8% | 1.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class from 2005 to 2023. On the WLTP test (listings 2020 to 2023), official combined fuel economy for its petrol, diesel, petrol hybrid and diesel hybrid versions ranges from 29.4 to 46.3 mpg, with CO2 of 151 to 219 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2005 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol, diesel and petrol hybrid versions ranges from 19.5 to 57.7 mpg, with CO2 of 128 to 345 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 32.8–37.2 | 172–195 | 2020–2021 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 1 |
| 3.0 petrol | 31.0–35.3 | 183–207 | 2020–2021 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 1 |
| 2.0 diesel | 40.4–46.3 | 161–183 | 2020–2021 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 1 |
| 2.9 diesel | 37.7–42.2 | 175–197 | 2020–2023 | Euro 6d‑TEMP to Euro 6d | 4 |
| 2.0 petrol hybrid | 32.8–37.2 | 172–195 | 2021 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 1 |
| 3.0 petrol hybrid | 29.4–35.3 | 183–219 | 2021–2023 | Euro 6d‑TEMP to Euro 6d | 3 |
| 2.0 diesel hybrid | 40.4–46.3 | 151–183 | 2021 | Euro 6d‑TEMP to Euro 6d | 2 |
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 petrol | 36.2 | 184 | 2018 | Euro 6 | 2 |
| 3.5 petrol | 26.6–40.9 | 161–253 | 2005–2017 | Euro 4 to Euro 6 | 22 |
| 4.7 petrol | 30.4–31.4 | 209–216 | 2011–2013 | Euro 5 | 7 |
| 5.0 petrol | 23.3–25.0 | 268–290 | 2005–2010 | Euro 4 | 7 |
| 5.4 petrol | 20.8 | 326 | 2005–2008 | Euro 4 | 3 |
| 5.5 petrol | 23.5–28.5 | 230–280 | 2010–2017 | Euro 4 to Euro 6 | 20 |
| 6.2 petrol | 19.5 | 345 | 2007–2010 | Euro 4 | 4 |
| 2.0 diesel | 52.3 | 142 | 2018 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 1 |
| 2.1 diesel | 52.3–57.7 | 128–143 | 2011–2017 | Euro 5 to Euro 6 | 20 |
| 2.9 diesel | 47.9–48.7 | 156 | 2018 | Euro 6 | 4 |
| 3.0 diesel | 34.9–52.3 | 142–215 | 2006–2017 | Euro 4 to Euro 6 | 36 |
| 3.0 petrol hybrid | 31.7 | 203 | 2018 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 1 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 45 safety recalls for the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class since 1992, the first in 2005. The most recent was launched on 4 December 2024.
All 45 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class | 19,639 | −6.5% | 4,449 | 241 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 378,826 | +0.7% | 13,892 | 16 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 326,200 | −4.5% | 46,533 | 20 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 203,182 | −4.2% | 40,576 | 39 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class | 112,497 | +14.1% | 2,288 | 84 | Petrol |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 24,088 CLS-Class records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 22,322 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
