How much does a 1998 MERCEDES CL 500 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 MERCEDES CL 500?

The 1998 MERCEDES CL 500 has a 83% MOT pass rate based on 35 tests in 2026. This ranks 73 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year MERCEDES CL 500 is most reliable?

The 2007 MERCEDES CL 500 has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%. The least reliable year is 2000 at 76%.

MERCEDES CL 500 (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 MERCEDES CL 500 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of MERCEDES CL 500s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 35 tests. That's 1 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 MERCEDES CL 500?

The average mileage for a 1998 MERCEDES CL 500 is 115,969 miles, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 35 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4973cc Petrol

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol4973cc28 years old35 tests116k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4973cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 4973cc

£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

83% 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 28 years old, 83% of MERCEDES CL 500s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 35 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 115,969 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars73th of 340(top 21%)

Rank among MERCEDES models991th of 1,408(top 70%)

vs national average+1%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+8%(75% avg)

vs MERCEDES average-4%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

115,969

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 MERCEDES CL 500 has 115,969 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-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 2007 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 76%. The 1998 sits between the two at 83%.

MERCEDES CL 500 by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

MERCEDES SL

1997 · 4973cc Petrol

£2,247/year

87%

+4%

MERCEDES CLK

2000 · 5439cc Petrol

£2,247/year

81%

-2%

TVR CHIMAERA

1999 · 4546cc Petrol

£2,247/year

88%

+5%

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER

1998 · 4477cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-5%

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About the 1998 MERCEDES CL 500

The 1998 MERCEDES CL 500 is a performance with a 4973cc petrol engine. 35 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 21% of all 1998 cars for reliability.

With an average of 115,969 miles at 28 years old, MERCEDES CL 500 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 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 1998 MERCEDES CL 500?

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 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 1998 MERCEDES CL 500

At 28 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 35 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 MERCEDES CL 500's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 28 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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 116k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 1998 MERCEDES CL 500 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES CL 500(1998)	83%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2757
MERCEDES SL(1997)	87%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
MERCEDES CLK(2000)	81%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
TVR CHIMAERA(1999)	88%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER(1998)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 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.