What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Mercedes-Benz CL.
The Mercedes-Benz CL occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Mercedes-Benz CL range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mercedes-Benz CL? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
C215 (1999–2006) — Engine options included the 5.4L V8, 5.5L V8, 6.2L V12. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe structural corrosion (£2,000–£4,000 to address).
C216 (2007–2014) — Engine options included the 4.7L V8 BiTurbo, 5.5L V8, 6.2L V12. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe structural corrosion (£2,000–£4,000 to address).
The front and rear subframes carry the suspension mounting points and are critical structural components. 0L variants. The prescribed area around suspension mounting points is subject to strict MOT standards - any significant corrosion or inadequate repair in these zones results in immediate test failure and renders the vehicle unroadworthy until properly repaired.
Severe subframe corrosion compromises the structural integrity of the suspension mounting points, creating an immediate safety risk of suspension component detachment while driving. Professional welding repair by a qualified fabricator is required and typically costs more than the vehicle's value. Vehicles with failed subframes should not be driven and may be written off as beyond economical repair.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The Airmatic air suspension system uses air springs, height sensors, and a central compressor to provide adaptive ride height control. The system is standard on all CL models and suffers from multiple failure points including air spring membrane splits, compressor overheating, and height sensor drift. MOT data shows this model fails air suspension tests at 340 times the fleet average, making it one of the most problematic systems on any luxury car. Repair costs regularly exceed £3000 when multiple components fail simultaneously.
Complete system failure leaves the car sitting on its bump stops with severely compromised ride quality and handling. The compressor will overheat and fail if it runs continuously trying to maintain pressure with major leaks. A full system rebuild including compressor, all four air springs, and height sensors typically costs £4000-£6000. The car remains drivable but uncomfortable and potentially unsafe in emergency maneuvers.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The front wheel bearings on CL models are integrated hub units that carry the considerable weight of the large luxury coupe body and cope with forces from the wide, low-profile tyres typically fitted. MOT data shows wheel bearing failure at 23 times the fleet average with a worsening trend, particularly affecting cars from 40,000 miles onwards. The bearings are sealed units that cannot be serviced and must be replaced complete with the hub assembly when they fail.
Advanced bearing wear causes wheel wobble, steering pull, and increased tyre wear. Complete bearing failure can cause wheel detachment while driving, creating an immediate safety risk. The integrated hub design means the entire hub assembly must be replaced rather than just the bearing, increasing repair costs significantly.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The brake hydraulic system uses steel brake pipes and flexible rubber hoses to connect the master cylinder to the calipers at each wheel. MOT data shows brake pipe corrosion at 5.4 times fleet average and flexible hose deterioration at 7 times fleet average, both with worsening trends. The complex brake system on CL models including ABS, ESP, and SBC (on some C215 models) places additional stress on hydraulic components through frequent pressure cycling.
Brake line or hose failure causes immediate and complete loss of braking on the affected circuit. While the dual-circuit system provides some backup, brake performance is severely compromised and the car should not be driven. Complete brake system overhaul including all pipes and hoses typically required once corrosion begins spreading.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The multi-link front and rear suspension systems use numerous rubber bushes and ball joints to locate the control arms and absorb road noise. The considerable weight of the CL body and aggressive alignment settings to suit wide tyres accelerate wear of these components. MOT data shows suspension component wear at 13.6 times the fleet average with a worsening trend, affecting all engine variants from moderate mileages onwards.
Worn suspension bushes cause increased road noise, poor handling precision, and accelerated tyre wear due to disturbed wheel alignment. Multiple component replacement is often required as wear patterns spread throughout the system. While not immediately dangerous, severely worn components compromise braking stability and emergency handling.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mercedes-Benz CL common problems page.
Based on 8k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mercedes-Benz CL fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is suspension pin, bush or joint worn at 29x the fleet average, followed by wheel bearings worn (23x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mercedes-Benz CL MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £150–£250 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include spark plugs (£200–£350), air suspension compressor service (£400–£600), automatic transmission fluid (£300–£450).
See the full Mercedes-Benz CL service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mercedes-Benz CL has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Mercedes-Benz CL, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Mercedes-Benz CL issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.