Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 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 2008 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 2008 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 2008 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

45% 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 2008 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 178 vehicles, the 2008 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.9%, 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 2008 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.

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Mercedes Benz Cl 500 (2008)

178 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.9% first-time pass rate

2008 Mercedes Benz Cl 500

CarHunch analysed 178 real MOT records for the 2008 Mercedes Benz Cl 500. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL 500 passes its first MOT attempt at 82.9%, slightly above the UK average of 80%, but this masks a serious concern: nearly 45% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is substantially higher than typical and a genuine buyer red flag. This suggests that while the overall pass rate looks respectable, safety-critical failures are a real risk with this model.

At a median mileage of 65,000 miles for a 16-year-old car, these are relatively low-mileage examples, yet they still average 2.67 failures and 16.6 advisories per test—a notably high advisory count that reflects the complexity and cost of maintaining this luxury coupe as it ages. Before buying one, budget for substantial repair work and have a pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes specialist focus on brake systems, suspension, and electrical components, where dangerous defects most commonly crop up.

We have limited data for the 2008 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

82.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

44.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.67

Over 15.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

65k

Middle half: 47k–80k

For context

These stats describe 178 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 178 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Mercedes Benz Cl 500

Based on MOT data from 178 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 44.9% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 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.

65,005

typical

46,755

low mileage

80,300

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 vehicles fall between 46,755 and 80,300 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 46,755 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.

✓ 46,755–80,300 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Mercedes Benz Cl 500s sit.

⚠ Over 108,405 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 — Still on the Road

Most 2008 Mercedes Benz Cl 500s are still being driven.

120 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 75% of the peak remain.

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

15.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.67

Avg failures per vehicle

16.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Watch for defects — worth knowing