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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.

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Petrol2295cc23 years old6,287 tests105k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2295cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2295cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£2,577
Per month£215/mo
Per week£50/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

78% 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 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.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars121th of 445(top 27%)
Rank among MERCEDES models1152th of 1,408(top 82%)
vs national average-4%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+6%(72% avg)
vs MERCEDES average-9%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

105,487

Average miles

vs

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.

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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

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201290%3061,131 mi
201175%4064,021 mi
201077%15292,126 mi
200976%6,35397,542 mi
200875%5,758104,878 mi
200776%8,003106,765 mi
200676%7,045106,273 mi
200576%8,463107,835 mi
200476%8,352105,633 mi
200378%6,287105,487 mi
200278%3,392106,379 mi
200179%2,542103,971 mi
200081%2,099102,251 mi
199978%2,485103,421 mi
199877%800102,449 mi
199775%13886,436 mi

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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 out

At 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 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 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 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 2003 MERCEDES CLK stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MERCEDES CLK(2003)78%£1592£430Grp 25-38£2577
RENAULT CLIO(2005)67%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£360
MERCEDES C(2005)73%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£560
HONDA CR-V(2005)70%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£560
LAND ROVER FREELANDER(2005)69%£1327£135Grp 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.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mercedes Clk.

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