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MERCEDES CL (2008)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 241 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

6209cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol6209cc18 years old241 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 6209cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 6209cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,757
Per month£230/mo
Per week£53/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

80% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 18 years old, 80% of MERCEDES CLs from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 241 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 78,575 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars222th of 589(top 38%)
Rank among MERCEDES models1084th of 1,408(top 77%)
vs national average-2%(82% avg)
vs 2008 cars average+7%(73% avg)
vs MERCEDES average-7%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

78,575

Average miles

vs

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 MERCEDES CL has 78,575 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2012 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 76%. The 2008 sits between the two at 80%.

MERCEDES CL by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
2021100%3814,783 mi
201491%24661,866 mi
201387%27661,865 mi
201294%17266,464 mi
201189%15973,701 mi
201085%15077,076 mi
200981%11986,705 mi
200880%24178,575 mi
200788%468104,864 mi
200689%7994,133 mi
200593%7094,005 mi
200487%11279,723 mi
200386%250105,101 mi
200282%33094,742 mi
200178%116116,951 mi
200076%7891,007 mi
199978%7216,669 mi
199879%113101,277 mi
199792%118104,546 mi

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About the 2008 MERCEDES CL

The 2008 MERCEDES CL is a performance with a 6209cc petrol engine. 241 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2008, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 78,575 miles at 18 years old, MERCEDES CL owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 MERCEDES CL Fuel Costs

The 6209cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2008 MERCEDES CL?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MERCEDES CL Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES CLs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2008 MERCEDES CL

At 18 years old, the MERCEDES CL is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2012 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2008 MERCEDES CL's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 18 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2008 MERCEDES CL stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MERCEDES CL(2008)80%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2757
BENTLEY CONTINENTAL(2007)94%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2097-£660
ASTON MARTIN DB9(2007)94%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2097-£660
MERCEDES SL(2010)88%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
MERCEDES R-CLASS(2007)74%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Mercedes Models

Explore other Mercedes cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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