CarCostCheck

MERCEDES CL 500 (1997)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 38 real MOT tests in 2024.

Share:XFacebookWhatsApp

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Total Tests (2024)

38

Avg Mileage

107,424 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£2,597

Is the 1997 MERCEDES CL 500 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 27 years old, 68% of MERCEDES CL 500s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 38 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 107,424 miles.

How does the 1997 MERCEDES CL 500 compare?

Rank among all 1997 cars275th out of 320(top 86%)
Rank among all MERCEDES models1378th out of 1,408(top 98%)
vs national average-14% (82% avg)
vs 1997 cars average-7% (75% avg)
vs MERCEDES average-19% (87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 1997 MERCEDES CL 500 has 107,424 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Best year to buy a MERCEDES CL 500?

The most reliable year is the 2007 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 76%. The 1997 sits between the two at 68%.

How much does a 1997 MERCEDES CL 500 cost to run?

⛽Fuel (Petrol, 4973cc)
£1,592
🏛️Road Tax
£250
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs

Higher than average due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,597
Per month£216/mo

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

MERCEDES CL 500 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201287%8375,710 mi
201188%13679,907 mi
201087%22884,220 mi
200984%36185,323 mi
200886%32392,277 mi
200788%48889,544 mi
200686%9688,285 mi
200581%28194,471 mi
200487%34195,245 mi
200380%334102,668 mi
200284%490114,252 mi
200188%295107,605 mi
200076%283108,884 mi
1999100%30100,124 mi
199883%35115,969 mi
199768%38107,424 mi

Checking a specific MERCEDES CL 500?

Enter the reg plate to see its individual MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 1997 MERCEDES CL 500

The 1997 MERCEDES CL 500 is a performance with a 4973cc petrol engine. 38 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 86% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 107,424 miles at 27 years old, MERCEDES CL 500 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 MERCEDES CL 500 Fuel Costs

The 4973cc 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 1997 MERCEDES CL 500?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,597 (£216/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £250 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

MERCEDES CL 500 Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES CL 500s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 MERCEDES CL 500

At 27 years old, the MERCEDES CL 500 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 2007 model has the highest pass rate at 88%. Note: with only 38 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Alternatives to the 1997 MERCEDES CL 500

If reliability is your priority, there are 4 similar cars with a higher MOT pass rate. Here are comparable petrol cars with similar engines: