How much does a 1998 MERCEDES CLK cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,907 (£242/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 MERCEDES CLK?

The 1998 MERCEDES CLK has a 77% MOT pass rate based on 800 tests in 2026. This ranks 132 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year MERCEDES CLK is most reliable?

The 2000 MERCEDES CLK has the highest MOT pass rate at 81%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 75%.

MERCEDES CLK (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 MERCEDES CLK reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 77% of MERCEDES CLKs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 800 tests. That's 5 points below the national average of 82%.

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

The average mileage for a 1998 MERCEDES CLK is 102,449 miles, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 800 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,907

£242/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3199cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £2907/year to run. 5 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific MERCEDES CLK

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol3199cc28 years old800 tests102k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3199cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 3199cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,907

Per month£242/mo

Per week£56/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this MERCEDES CLK

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

77% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 28 years old, 77% of MERCEDES CLKs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 800 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 102,449 miles.

Got a MERCEDES CLK you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars132th of 340(top 39%)

Rank among MERCEDES models1201th of 1,408(top 85%)

vs national average-5%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+2%(75% avg)

vs MERCEDES average-10%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

102,449

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 MERCEDES CLK has 102,449 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific MERCEDES CLK?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2000 model with a 81% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 75%. The 1998 sits between the two at 77%.

MERCEDES CLK by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2012	90%	30	61,131 mi
2011	75%	40	64,021 mi
2010	77%	152	92,126 mi
2009	76%	6,353	97,542 mi
2008	75%	5,758	104,878 mi
2007	76%	8,003	106,765 mi
2006	76%	7,045	106,273 mi
2005	76%	8,463	107,835 mi
2004	76%	8,352	105,633 mi
2003	78%	6,287	105,487 mi
2002	78%	3,392	106,379 mi
2001	79%	2,542	103,971 mi
2000	81%	2,099	102,251 mi
1999	78%	2,485	103,421 mi
1998	77%	800	102,449 mi
1997	75%	138	86,436 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW Z3

1999 · 3201cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+1%

PORSCHE BOXSTER

2000 · 2700cc Petrol

£2,247/year

82%

+5%

PORSCHE 911

1999 · 3387cc Petrol

£2,247/year

87%

+10%

MERCEDES C

1999 · 2799cc Petrol

£2,247/year

82%

+5%

Check a Specific Mercedes Clk

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1998 MERCEDES CLK

The 1998 MERCEDES CLK is a performance with a 3199cc petrol engine. 800 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 102,449 miles at 28 years old, MERCEDES CLK owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1998 MERCEDES CLK Fuel Costs

The 3199cc 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 CLK?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,907 (£242/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MERCEDES CLK Reliability Trend

The MERCEDES CLK has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 MERCEDES CLK

At 28 years old, the MERCEDES CLK 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 2000 model has the highest pass rate at 81%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 MERCEDES CLK'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 102k 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 CLK stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES CLK(1998)	77%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2907
BMW Z3(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£510
PORSCHE BOXSTER(2000)	82%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£660
PORSCHE 911(1999)	87%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£660
MERCEDES C(1999)	82%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£660

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.