Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto?

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 Cls 350 Auto?

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 Cls 350 Auto?

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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2005 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto?

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 Cls 350 Auto (2005)

190 real MOT outcomes analysed • 4.5% first-time pass rate

2005 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto

CarHunch analysed 190 real MOT records for the 2005 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 2005 Mercedes CLS 350 is in serious trouble: only 4.5% pass MOT first time against the UK average of 80%, and petrol versions don't pass at all, suggesting systemic issues with this model at this age. No vehicles in this cohort have recorded dangerous defects, which is the only bright spot, but the reliability picture is extremely poor.

At an average mileage of 84,360 miles for a 19-year-old car, these are genuinely low-mileage examples, yet they're still failing repeatedly—this isn't wear-and-tear, it's design or maintenance problems. Before considering one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the specific failure patterns affecting this generation, and factor in that you'll likely need significant work done immediately after purchase.

Below average reliability 75.5% below UK average

4.5%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.08

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.3 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2005 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Mercedes Cls 350 Auto

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (93%)	177	0%	0
Other (6%)	12	70.7%	1.25
Gas Bi-Fuel (1%)	1	0%	0

MOT History Averages

1.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.08

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Mercedes Cls 350 Auto?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — Mercedes Cls 350 Auto:

2006