Mercedes Benz

Mercedes Benz Cla (2019)

8,027 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.5% first-time pass rate

2019 Mercedes Benz Cla

CarHunch analysed 8,027 real MOT records for the 2019 Mercedes Benz Cla. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA passes its MOT first time at 88.5%, well ahead of the UK average of 80%, which is a strong result—but one in four of these cars have picked up a dangerous defect at some point, so thorough pre-purchase inspections matter. Petrol and diesel variants perform nearly identically (88.5% and 88.3% respectively), so fuel choice won't affect reliability here.

These cars are running low mileage for their age (median 34,216 miles), which partly explains the healthy pass rate, though they still average 0.63 failures per MOT cycle, suggesting some component wear is inevitable. When you buy one, factor in that you'll likely face around four advisories per test and budget for those minor fixes—but the solid pass rate and manageable failure count make this a reasonably dependable choice if the service history checks out.

The 2019 Mercedes Benz Cla has a decent first-time pass rate (88.5%), 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
88.5%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
25.2%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.63
Over 4.6 tests on record
Moderate
Typical mileage
34k
Middle half: 26k–45k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 88.5% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 4.1 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 8,027 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

What tends to go wrong

Across 8,027 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 29.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 14.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Other issues 5.7%
Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2019.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 8,027 Mercedes Benz Cla cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2019 Mercedes Benz Cla

Based on MOT data from 8,027 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 25.2% 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (92%) 7,396 88.5% 0.63
Diesel (8%) 630 88.3% 0.68

Colour Breakdown

Based on 64,873 Mercedes Benz Cla vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 29.6%
19,209
White 27.6%
17,907
Grey 22.2%
14,431
Silver 8%
5,174
Red 6.9%
4,447
Blue 4.5%
2,923
Purple 1.1%
692
Bronze 0.1%
67
Green 0%
10
Gold 0%
8
Brown 0%
5

Mileage Distribution

Most 2019 Mercedes Benz Cla 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.

34,216
typical
25,619
low mileage
44,764
high mileage

Half of all 2019 Mercedes Benz Cla vehicles fall between 25,619 and 44,764 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 25,619 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.
25,619–44,764 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2019 Mercedes Benz Clas sit.
Over 60,431 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2019 Mercedes Benz Cla — Still on the Road

Almost all 2019 Mercedes Benz Clas are still on the road.

Strong survival — 7,433 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 97% of the peak.

7,650 7,433 2022 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2022–2025.

MOT History Averages

4.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.63
Avg failures per vehicle
4.1
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Mercedes Benz Cla: All Cla years → Which year to buy? →
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2020 2021 2022 2023

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

Mercedes Benz logo

Compare with another model

See how the 2019 Mercedes Benz Cla stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing