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

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 Clk?

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 Clk?

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 Clk vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

23% 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 Clk reliable?

Based on MOT data from 3,722 vehicles, the 1998 Mercedes Benz Clk has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.8%, 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 Clk?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Mercedes Benz Clk are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (79.8% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (76.3% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (63.5% 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 Clk?

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 Clk (1998)

3,722 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.8% first-time pass rate

1998 Mercedes Benz Clk

CarHunch analysed 3,722 real MOT records for the 1998 Mercedes Benz Clk. 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 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK falls short of the UK average with a first-time pass rate of 74.8% against the national 80%, signalling below-average reliability for its age. More concerning is that 23.1% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects during MOT testing—well above the typical threshold—making pre-purchase inspection non-negotiable.

At nearly 100,000 miles median mileage, these cars show typical wear for their age, but the 3.32 average failures per vehicle indicate structural problems beyond routine maintenance. The high advisory count of 18.7 per vehicle suggests these CLKs need consistent attention to electrics, trim, and ancillary systems; budget for thorough diagnostics before committing to one, and factor in potentially expensive Mercedes-specific repairs.

The 1998 Mercedes Benz Clk has a below-average first-time pass rate (74.8% 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

74.8%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

23.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.32

Over 12.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

99k

Middle half: 81k–120k

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 18.7 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 3,722 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 3,722 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 79.8%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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.

Suspension & steering 42.6%

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play · …

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

Brake wear 33%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · 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 3,722 Mercedes Benz Clk cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Mercedes Benz Clk

Based on MOT data from 3,722 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23.1% 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 (100%)	3,704	74.8%	3.31

Colour Breakdown

Based on 83,295 Mercedes Benz Clk vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 45.4%

37,818

Blue 26.3%

21,942

Black 21.4%

17,831

Red 2.8%

2,367

Grey 1.6%

1,362

Green 1.6%

1,299

White 0.5%

391

Purple 0.1%

Gold 0.1%

Beige 0.1%

Maroon 0%

Orange 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Mercedes Benz Clk 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.

99,495

typical

80,670

low mileage

120,031

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Mercedes Benz Clk vehicles fall between 80,670 and 120,031 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 80,670 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.

✓ 80,670–120,031 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Mercedes Benz Clks sit.

⚠ Over 162,041 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 Clk — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 9% of 1998 Mercedes Benz Clks are still active.

Numbers are declining — 178 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (9% 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

12.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.32

Avg failures per vehicle

18.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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