Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Mercedes Benz Clc?

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 Clc?

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 Clc?

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 Clc vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

56% 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 Clc reliable?

Based on MOT data from 3,127 vehicles, the 2008 Mercedes Benz Clc has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2008 Mercedes Benz Clc?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2008 Mercedes Benz Clc are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (60.9% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (60.4% of vehicles), Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (58.7% 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 2008 Mercedes Benz Clc?

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 Clc (2008)

3,127 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.1% first-time pass rate

2008 Mercedes Benz Clc

CarHunch analysed 3,127 real MOT records for the 2008 Mercedes Benz Clc. 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 Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.1%, which sits noticeably below the UK average of 80%, and a concerning 55.9% of these cars have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their testing history—well above what you'd expect from a premium marque. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically (74.5% and 73.7% pass rates respectively), so fuel type won't be your deciding factor here.

These CLCs are running at a median of 79,222 miles for their age, which is fairly typical, but the real warning sign is the 4.77 average failures per test and 25.2 advisories—this suggests aging suspension, brake, and electrical components are taking a toll. If you're considering one, have an independent specialist inspect the brakes, steering components, and air suspension before committing, and budget for ongoing maintenance as these cars demand more attention than rivals.

The 2008 Mercedes Benz Clc has a below-average first-time pass rate (74.1% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ 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

74.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

55.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.77

Over 17.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

79k

Middle half: 63k–98k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 25.2 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 3,127 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 3,127 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 60.9%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

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

Other issues 58.7%

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

Brake wear 34.7%

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · …

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

Suspension & steering 33.7%

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 3,127 Mercedes Benz Clc cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Mercedes Benz Clc

Based on MOT data from 3,127 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 55.9% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (50%)	1,578	73.7%	4.84
Petrol (50%)	1,549	74.5%	4.71

Colour Breakdown

Based on 11,090 Mercedes Benz Clc vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 40.3%

4,471

Silver 31.6%

3,499

Grey 10.6%

1,171

White 8.1%

898

Blue 5.1%

569

Red 4.3%

477

Multi-colour 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Mercedes Benz Clc 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.

79,222

typical

63,415

low mileage

97,604

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mercedes Benz Clc vehicles fall between 63,415 and 97,604 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 63,415 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.

✓ 63,415–97,604 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Mercedes Benz Clcs sit.

⚠ Over 131,765 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 Clc — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 64% of 2008 Mercedes Benz Clcs are still active.

1,862 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 64% 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

17.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.77

Avg failures per vehicle

25.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2009 2010 2011

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Mercedes Benz Clc stacks up against a rival.

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