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.

Is the 2006 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 105 vehicles, the 2006 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

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 • 79.7% first-time pass rate

2006 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto

CarHunch analysed 105 real MOT records for the 2006 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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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.

We have limited data for the 2006 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

79.7%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.06

Over 1.2 tests on record

Low

These stats describe 105 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 105 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Mercedes Cls 350 Auto

Based on MOT data from 105 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% 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