Mercedes CLK (2006)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 7,045 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,641

£220/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£410

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2148cc Diesel

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £2,641/year to run. 6 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.

Diesel2148cc20 years old7,045 tests106k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2148cc)

~40 mpg

£1,676

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£410

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,641

Per month£220/mo

Per week£51/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

76% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mercedes brand average of 87%.

76% of MOT tests on Mercedes CLKs from 2006 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 18 years old. That's based on 7,045 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 106,273 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 2006 models231st of 554(top half)

Rank among Mercedes models1202nd of 1,376(bottom 13%)

vs average of all models-6%(82% avg)

vs 2006 models average+3%(73% avg)

vs Mercedes average-11%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

106,273

Average miles

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2006 Mercedes CLK had 106,273 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2000 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 81%, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 75%. The 2006 scores 76%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Volkswagen Golf

2007 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,227/year

73%

-3%

Vauxhall Astra

2007 · 1686cc Diesel

£2,227/year

71%

-5%

Honda Civic

2007 · 2204cc Diesel

£2,641/year

72%

-4%

Audi A4

2008 · 1968cc Diesel

£2,227/year

78%

+2%

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 2006 Mercedes CLK

The 2006 Mercedes CLK is a premium car. Our records list a 2148cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 7,045 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2006, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 106,273 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mercedes CLK owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2006 Mercedes CLK Fuel Costs

The 2148cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,676 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2006 Mercedes CLK?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,641 (£220/month), broken down as £1,676 fuel, £410 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% 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 2006 Mercedes CLK

At 20 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 7,045 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 106k 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 2006 Mercedes CLK stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mercedes CLK(2006)	76%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641
Volkswagen Golf(2007)	73%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£414
Vauxhall Astra(2007)	71%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£414
Honda Civic(2007)	72%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641same
Audi A4(2008)	78%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£414

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2006 Mercedes CLK

Is the 2006 Mercedes CLK reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 76% of MOT tests on 2006 Mercedes CLKs ended in a pass, from 7,045 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2006 Mercedes CLK cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,641 a year (£220 a month): £1,676 fuel, £410 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 Mercedes CLK?

76% of 7,045 MOT tests on the 2006 Mercedes CLK ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 231st of 554 models first registered in 2006 (top half).

Which year Mercedes CLK has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2000 Mercedes CLK has the highest MOT pass rate at 81% and the 1997 the lowest at 75%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2006 Mercedes CLK?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2006 Mercedes CLK is 106,273 miles, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.