Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl?

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 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl?

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 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl?

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 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

24% 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 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl reliable?

Based on MOT data from 124 vehicles, the 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (84.3% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (83.8% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (53% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl?

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 (1998)

124 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.1% first-time pass rate

1998 Mercedes Benz Cl

CarHunch analysed 124 real MOT records for the 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 1998 Mercedes-Benz CL passes its MOT first time in just 75.1% of cases, notably below the UK average of 80%, and nearly a quarter of these cars (24.2%) have recorded dangerous defects — a genuine safety concern for buyers. With an average of 3.63 failures per test, this model clearly presents more hurdles than most vehicles of this age.

At just under 100,500 miles on average, these cars are relatively well-used for their age, yet still accumulate an average of 21.7 advisories per vehicle, suggesting ongoing wear across multiple systems. If you're considering one, budget for regular maintenance and have any prospective purchase thoroughly inspected by a specialist familiar with this platform — the luxury complexity of the CL means small issues become expensive ones quickly.

We have limited data for the 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl — 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

75.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

24.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.63

Over 14.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

98k

Middle half: 76k–118k

For context

These stats describe 124 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 124 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 84.3%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 40.4%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Oil leak · …

Brake wear 37.4%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 124 Mercedes Benz Cl cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl

Based on MOT data from 124 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 24.2% 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 (98%)	122	75.1%	3.58

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl 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.

98,439

typical

76,419

low mileage

117,883

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl vehicles fall between 76,419 and 117,883 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 76,419 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.

✓ 76,419–117,883 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Mercedes Benz Cls sit.

⚠ Over 159,142 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Mercedes Benz Cl — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 46% of 1998 Mercedes Benz Cls are still active.

Numbers are declining — 32 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (46% 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

14.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.63

Avg failures per vehicle

21.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Mercedes Benz Cl stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?