Car statistics by year

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class cars first registered in 2008: 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 2008, so like is set against like.

A year of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. “2008” is the year of first registration.

Last updated
Records analysed
1,168 MOT tests of 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class cars
Methodology
View methodology
  • MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 68.8% All 2008 cars 57.0%
  • Typical mileage at the MOT 122,000 miles; all 2008 cars 104,200
  • Left at the end of 2025 1,404 60.8% of the 2,311 at the end of 2014
  • Tests finding a dangerous defect 9.3% All 2008 cars 10.4%
  • Tests with an advisory 66.6% All 2008 cars 69.6%
  • MOT tests in 2025 1,168 normal tests in Great Britain

How do 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes do at their MOT?

In 2025, at about 17 years old, 68.8% of 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class MOT tests were passed first time, against 57.0% for all cars first registered in 2008. 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes did better than average for their age, by 11.8 points. A year earlier the same cars passed 64.4% of the time (all 2008 cars 56.8%).

MOT pass rate by year of first registration: Mercedes-Benz CLS-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 CLS-Class bar with the all-cars bar beside it.

MOT first-time pass rate in 2025 by year of first registration, Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class compared with all cars
First registered Mercedes-Benz CLS-ClassAll cars
’05 71.3%57.7%
’06 70.5%56.9%
’07 67.6%57.3%
’08 68.8%57.0%
’09 66.5%58.2%
’10 66.0%59.3%
’11 73.9%61.5%
’12 73.8%63.6%
’13 72.1%66.0%
’14 74.7%69.1%
’15 78.6%72.6%
’16 79.6%75.6%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common MOT failures on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn was the most common single reason a 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class failed, on 14.8% of about 400 failed tests. By area of the car, suspension failed most often (37.6% of failed tests; all 2008 cars 41.7%). 9.3% of tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 10.4% for all cars first registered in 2008. 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.

Most common specific MOT defects on failed 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class tests, 2025
Defect Share of failed tests
Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension 14.8%
Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play Steering 12.9%
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded Brakes 9.3%
Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres 8.2%
Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres 8.2%
Suspension arms: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Suspension 8.0%
Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension 7.7%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility 7.7%
Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 6.6%
Headlamp aim: too low Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 5.2%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Failure categories: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vs all 2008 cars

The marker shows the share for all cars first registered the same year.

Share of failed 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class MOT tests with a defect in each category, with all 2008 cars for comparison
Category Share of failed tests
Suspension 37.6%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 31.0%
Brakes 24.5%
Tyres 24.2%
Steering 15.9%
Visibility 15.4%
Noise, emissions and leaks 10.4%
Body, chassis, structure 6.3%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common MOT advisories on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

An advisory is something the tester noticed that did not fail the test but may need work soon. 66.6% of 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class tests had at least one (all 2008 cars 69.6%). These are the things to check on one you are thinking of buying.

Most common advisories

Most common MOT advisories on 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class tests, 2025
Advisory Share of tests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres 24.9%
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes 19.3%
Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks 15.8%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes 8.9%
Suspension arms: ball joint has slight play Suspension 8.7%
Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Non-component advisories 7.4%
Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes 6.6%
Exhaust system: mounting defective Body, chassis, structure 6.6%
Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension 5.8%
Wheel bearings: slight play Suspension 5.6%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

What mileage is normal for a 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?

Half of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 122,000 miles. A quarter had covered fewer than 95,900 and a quarter more than 146,300. For all cars first registered in 2008, the middle figure was 104,200 miles, so 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes have been driven 17.1% further than 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%.

Odometer readings at the 2025 MOT, 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and all 2008 cars, by percentile
10% 25% Median 75% 90% Cars
2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 73,600 95,900 122,000 146,300 174,100 1,126
All 2008 cars 55,300 77,400 104,200 133,600 162,900 828,912
miles

Half of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 122,000 miles.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

How many 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes are left?

At the end of 2014, 2,311 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes were on the DVLA record in the United Kingdom (these counts start in 2014). By the end of 2025, 1,404 were: 1,016 licensed and 388 declared off the road (SORN). That is 60.8% still on the record, against 50.5% for all cars first registered in 2008.

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%.

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes on the DVLA record at each year end as a share of the number at the end of 2014, compared with all 2008 cars
Year end 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-ClassAll 2008 cars
2014 100.0%100.0%
2015 99.4%98.3%
2016 97.2%96.8%
2017 95.2%94.3%
2018 92.0%91.0%
2019 89.5%86.8%
2020 85.0%82.2%
2021 80.7%76.3%
2022 77.7%70.5%
2023 72.1%64.2%
2024 66.2%57.2%
2025 60.8%50.5%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2025 Updated

Recalls that may affect cars built around 2008

3 of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class’s 45 recalls in DVSA’s records cover cars built during 2008.

The 2008 on this page is the year of first registration, not the year the car was built. A car first registered early in 2008 may have been built in 2007, and recalls apply to particular build dates and VINs, so check the recalls either side too.

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class recalls whose build dates include 2008
Launched Concern Built Vehicles
6 Feb 2023 The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame might not meet specifications. 27 Sept 2004 to 1 Jul 2010 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)
19 Apr 2017 Faulty control unit may cause vehicle to perform outside specification 1 Jan 2004 to 31 Mar 2017 42 (all models)

Every Mercedes-Benz CLS-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 CLS-Class

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%).

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classes by year of first registration
Year Registered Left Pass rate All cars
2005 1,180 71.3% 57.7%
2006 1,689 70.5% 56.9%
2007 1,902 67.6% 57.3%
2008 1,404 68.8% 57.0%
2009 1,120 66.5% 58.2%
2010 1,066 66.0% 59.3%
2011 1,315 73.9% 61.5%
2012 1,369 73.8% 63.6%
2013 3,148 72.1% 66.0%
2014 2,147 1,768 74.7% 69.1%
2015 3,402 2,846 78.6% 72.6%
2016 2,422 2,086 79.6% 75.6%
2017 1,579 1,489 79.9% 79.1%
2018 1,071 939 82.3% 81.8%
2019 1,055 1,072 82.8% 84.4%

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

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
MOT results and mileage Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Derived statistics UK Motoring
2025 1,168 MOT tests of 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class cars 15 September 2026
Cars on the record Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of 2025 1,404 cars still on the record (licensed or SORN) 15 September 2026
  • MOT figures cover normal tests in Great Britain in 2025 of Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class cars first registered in 2008; retests are excluded. “All cars” means every car we match to a model, first registered in 2008.
  • 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.