CarCostCheck

MERCEDES CL 500 (1999)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 30 real MOT tests in 2024.

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MOT Pass Rate

100%

Total Tests (2024)

30

Avg Mileage

100,124 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£2,097

Is the 1999 MERCEDES CL 500 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 18 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 25 years old, 100% of MERCEDES CL 500s from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 30 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 100,124 miles.

How does the 1999 MERCEDES CL 500 compare?

Rank among all 1999 cars4th out of 375(top 1%)
Rank among all MERCEDES models53th out of 1,408(top 4%)
vs national average+18% (82% avg)
vs 1999 cars average+25% (75% avg)
vs MERCEDES average+13% (87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 1999 MERCEDES CL 500 has 100,124 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-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 1999 sits between the two at 100%.

How much does a 1999 MERCEDES CL 500 cost to run?

⛽Fuel (Petrol, 4966cc)
£1,592
🏛️Road Tax
£250
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£200
Total per year£2,097
Per month£175/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

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About the 1999 MERCEDES CL 500

The 1999 MERCEDES CL 500 is a performance with a 4966cc petrol engine. 30 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 1% of all 1999 cars for reliability.

With an average of 100,124 miles at 25 years old, MERCEDES CL 500 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1999 MERCEDES CL 500 Fuel Costs

The 4966cc 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 1999 MERCEDES CL 500?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,097 (£175/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £250 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 100% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 1999 MERCEDES CL 500

At 25 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 30 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Alternatives to the 1999 MERCEDES CL 500

The MERCEDES CL 500 is actually the most reliable option among similar petrol performances from this era. Here are comparable petrol cars with similar engines: