Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 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 2006 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 2006 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 2006 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 (2006)

105 real MOT outcomes analysed • 5.3% first-time pass rate

2006 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto

CarHunch analysed 105 real MOT records for the 2006 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 2006 Mercedes CLS 350 is a serious reliability concern: only 5.3% pass on the first attempt versus the UK average of 80%, suggesting widespread issues across the fleet. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent entirely, meaning what fails tends to be correctable rather than safety-critical.

At nearly 110,000 miles on average, these cars have covered considerable ground, yet they're failing their MOTs at an alarming rate despite averaging just 0.06 failures per vehicle—a contradiction that points to specific recurring problems rather than scattered wear. If you're considering one, get a full pre-purchase inspection from a Mercedes specialist to identify what's habitually breaking on this generation, and factor in above-average repair costs.

Below average reliability 74.7% below UK average

5.3%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.06

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.2 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2006 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.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (93%)	98	0%	0
Other (7%)	7	79.7%	0.86

MOT History Averages

1.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.06

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:

2005