Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

35% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 691 vehicles, the 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 78.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Mercedes Benz Cl 500 (2002)

691 real MOT outcomes analysed • 78.3% first-time pass rate

2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500

CarHunch analysed 691 real MOT records for the 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL 500 sits just below the UK average at 78.3% first-time pass rate, which is respectable for a 22-year-old luxury coupe but nothing exceptional—the real concern is that 35% of these cars have had a dangerous defect flagged at some point, well above acceptable levels for a buyer considering one. This is a car that demands careful pre-purchase inspection and a full MOT history review before you commit.

At 82,600 miles average, these CL 500s have typical mileage for their age, but the high advisory count of 22.6 per vehicle tells you they're nickel-and-diming owners with constant minor issues—wear items, trim, sensors, and electrical gremlins are routine. Before viewing one, insist on a full diagnostic scan and have an independent Mercedes specialist inspect the suspension, cooling system, and electrical architecture, as these are where complexity and cost collide on this platform.

The 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 has a decent first-time pass rate (78.3%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

78.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

35%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.88

Over 17.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

83k

Middle half: 63k–100k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 22.6 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 691 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 691 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 cars.

Before you buy a 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500

Based on MOT data from 691 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	684	78.3%	3.88

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,209 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 44.9%

1,889

Black 29.2%

1,227

Blue 16.4%

690

Grey 4.6%

194

Red 1.4%

Green 1%

White 0.9%

Purple 0.8%

Gold 0.4%

Maroon 0.3%

Beige 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

82,881

typical

63,312

low mileage

99,692

high mileage

Half of all 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 vehicles fall between 63,312 and 99,692 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 63,312 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 63,312–99,692 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500s sit.

⚠ Over 134,584 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 34% of 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 179 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (34% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

17.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.88

Avg failures per vehicle

22.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz Cl 500: All Cl 500 years → Which year to buy? →

2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

Compare with another model

See how the 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing