Mercedes CL 500

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 16 model years from 3,842 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

85%

Total Tests

3,842

Highest Pass Rate

2007 (88%)

Years Covered

About the Mercedes CL 500

The Mercedes CL 500 was MOT tested 3,842 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 16 model years (1997 to 2012), with an average pass rate of 85%. That's slightly above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2007 model has the highest pass rate at 88% from 488 tests. The 2000 model has the lowest at 76%. The 12 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

The Mercedes CL 500 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1997) averages 107,424 miles, while the newest (2012) averages 75,710 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4966cc)

£1,958

Road Tax

£790

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£3,153

Per month£263/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2012 details

How reliable is the Mercedes CL 500?

vs average of all models+3% (82% avg)

vs Mercedes brand average-2% (87% avg)

Best to worst year spread12 percentage points

Reliability trendStable over years

Mercedes CL 500 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2012	87%	83	75,710 mi
2011	88%	136	79,907 mi
2010	87%	228	84,220 mi
2009	84%	361	85,323 mi
2008	86%	323	92,277 mi
2007	88%	488	89,544 mi
2006	86%	96	88,285 mi
2005	81%	281	94,471 mi
2004	87%	341	95,245 mi
2003	80%	334	102,668 mi
2002	84%	490	114,252 mi
2001	88%	295	107,605 mi
2000	76%	283	108,884 mi
1999	100%	30	100,124 mi
1998	83%	35	115,969 mi
1997	68%	38	107,424 mi

Questions about the Mercedes CL 500

Is the Mercedes CL 500 reliable?

Across its 16 model years in our data (1997 to 2012), the Mercedes CL 500 averages an 85% MOT pass rate, from 3,842 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2007 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 88%.

Which year Mercedes CL 500 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2007 Mercedes CL 500 has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 76%, a 12 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.