MERCEDES CLK (2003)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 6,287 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£2,577
£215/month
MOT Pass Rate
78%
Average
Road Tax
£430
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 25-38
2295cc Petrol
Check Carefully
78% pass rate, £2577/year to run. Close to the national average.
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.
Annual Running Costs
~30 mpg
Based on 2295cc
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
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 23 years old, 78% of MERCEDES CLKs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 6,287 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 105,487 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?
Mileage Analysis
105,487
Average miles
170,200
Expected for age
The average 2003 MERCEDES CLK has 105,487 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
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 2003 sits between the two at 78%.
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
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 2003 MERCEDES CLK
The 2003 MERCEDES CLK is a large car with a 2295cc petrol engine. 6,287 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 105,487 miles at 23 years old, MERCEDES CLK owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2003 MERCEDES CLK Fuel Costs
The 2295cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. 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 2003 MERCEDES CLK?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,577 (£215/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% 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 2003 MERCEDES CLK
At 23 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%. With 6,287 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2003 MERCEDES CLK's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Timing Chain / Belt
Watch outAt 23 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 riskLarger 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 outAt 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 outRubber 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 outWith an average of 105k 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 riskHigh-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 riskAlways 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 2003 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(2003) | 78% | £1592 | £430 | Grp 25-38 | £2577 |
| RENAULT CLIO(2005) | 67% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £2217-£360 |
| MERCEDES C(2005) | 73% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £2017-£560 |
| HONDA CR-V(2005) | 70% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £2017-£560 |
| LAND ROVER FREELANDER(2005) | 69% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £2217-£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.
Related Mercedes Models
Explore other Mercedes cars or similar models in the same category.
MERCEDES A
2019 · 1461cc Diesel
MERCEDES C
2017 · 1991cc Hybrid
MERCEDES A-CLASS
2017 · 1461cc Diesel
RENAULT CLIO
2005 · 1998cc Petrol
MERCEDES C
2005 · 1796cc Petrol
HONDA CR-V
2005 · 1998cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Mercedes Clk.
Cars That Lose Value Fastest: Models to Avoid for Depreciation
8 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Insure in the UK: Insurance Groups 1-10
9 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific MERCEDES CLK
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a MERCEDES CLK? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data