Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls?

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 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls?

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 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls?

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 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

40% 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 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,675 vehicles, the 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (73.4% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (73.3% of vehicles), Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (57.4% 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 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls?

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 Cls (2005)

2,675 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.9% first-time pass rate

2005 Mercedes Benz Cls

CarHunch analysed 2,675 real MOT records for the 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls. 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 Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2005 CLS passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 80.9%, though petrol versions do noticeably better than diesels (82% versus 78%). However, the critical concern is that 40% of these cars have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history — nearly double the typical rate — which makes a thorough pre-purchase inspection essential.

At 73,000 miles average for a 19-year-old car, these are relatively well-preserved examples, but they're prone to nibbling problems rather than catastrophic failures: averaging 3 failures and 17 advisories per test suggests ongoing electrical gremlins and trim wear typical of ageing Mercedes. Before committing, get a specialist inspection focusing on the electrical systems and suspension components that commonly generate those advisories.

The 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls has a decent first-time pass rate (80.9%), 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

80.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

40%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.07

Over 14.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

65k

Middle half: 46k–85k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 17 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 2,675 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 2,675 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 73.4%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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 57.4%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Oil leak, but not excessive

Brake wear 28.7%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Offside Rear 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.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,675 Mercedes Benz Cls cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 4 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

82%

Petrol

1,931 vehicles

78%

Diesel

740 vehicles

Before you buy a 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls

Based on MOT data from 2,675 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 40% 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 (72%)	1,931	82%	2.87
Diesel (28%)	740	78%	3.58

Colour Breakdown

Based on 34,383 Mercedes Benz Cls vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 37.2%

12,798

Silver 32.2%

11,069

Grey 14.8%

5,086

White 6.7%

2,306

Blue 4.8%

1,635

Red 3.4%

1,184

Beige 0.3%

118

Green 0.2%

Gold 0.1%

Brown 0.1%

Maroon 0.1%

Bronze 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls 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.

65,125

typical

45,840

low mileage

85,337

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls vehicles fall between 45,840 and 85,337 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 45,840 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.

✓ 45,840–85,337 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Mercedes Benz Clss sit.

⚠ Over 115,204 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Mercedes Benz Cls — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 41% of 2005 Mercedes Benz Clss are still active.

Numbers are declining — 790 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (41% 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

14.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.07

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Mercedes Benz Cls stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing