Mercedes-Benz CLA reliability, MPG and running costs
Figures updated
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a family hatchback. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 107 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 217 of 442, and 19.7% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is tread depth (2.5% of tests).
Ranked 217 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League, and 13 of 30 family hatchbacks
In 2024, 60,128 Mercedes-Benz CLAs aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 19.7% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is 7% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. At the first MOT, at three years old, 14.0% failed (UK 12.7%).
First-time fail rate
19.7%
UK 28.5%
Fail rate at 3 years
14.0%
UK 12.7%
Average miles a year
9,700
Typical age at test: 6 years
Mercedes-Benz CLA MOT failure rate by age
Most common Mercedes-Benz CLA MOT faults
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5% of tests
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed2.5% of tests
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.2% of tests
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.9% of tests
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7% of tests
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.7% of tests
What the Mercedes-Benz CLA fails on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 9.1% | ▲ 1.4× as often |
| Suspension | 3.3% | ▼ 25% less often |
| Lights and electrics | 3.2% | ▼ 47% less often |
| Brakes | 3.2% | ▼ 25% less often |
| Visibility | 3.1% | ▼ 15% less often |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.1% | ▲ 1.2× as often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.2% | ▲ 2.5× as often |
| Wheels | 0.8% | ▲ 2.8× as often |
| Body and structure | 0.4% | ▼ 68% less often |
| Steering | 0.1% | ▼ 86% less often |
What MPG does the Mercedes-Benz CLA do?
Official economy for the Mercedes-Benz CLA ranges from 31 to 70.6mpg across the 70 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2015–2025). A typical petrol version manages 37.2mpg and a typical diesel 58.9mpg. Electric versions average 5 miles per kWh, with an official range of 492 to 492 miles. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
Work out a journey's fuel costHow much is road tax on a Mercedes-Benz CLA?
Any Mercedes-Benz CLA first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Mercedes-Benz CLA registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £325 a year.
Work out tax for a specific carMercedes-Benz CLA specs and running costs
Official figures for 70 versions sold in the UK between 2015 and 2025.
Fuel types
Diesel, Electric, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid
Official economy
31.0–70.6 mpg
Electric range
492 miles
Efficiency
5.0 mi/kWh
CO2
16–206 g/km
Power
136–421 PS
| Version | Fuel | Economy | CO2 | Car tax | Company car tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLA Coupe CLA 220 d190 PS · A8 · listed 2025 | Diesel | 56.5 mpg | 130g | £200 | 36% |
| CLA Shooting Brake CLA 220 d190 PS · A8 · listed 2025 | Diesel | 55.4 mpg | 133g | £200 | 36% |
| CLA Saloon CLA 250+272 PS · N/A · listed 2025 | Electric | 5 mi/kWh | 0g | £200 | 4% |
| CLA Saloon CLA 350 4MATIC354 PS · N/A · listed 2025 | Electric | 5 mi/kWh | 0g | £200 | 4% |
| CLA Coupe CLA 180136 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 48.7 mpg | 131g | £200 | 32% |
| CLA Shooting Brake CLA 180136 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 47.9 mpg | 134g | £200 | 32% |
| CLA Coupe CLA 200163 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 48.7 mpg | 131g | £200 | 32% |
| CLA Shooting Brake CLA 200163 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 47.9 mpg | 134g | £200 | 32% |
| CLA Coupe AMG CLA 35 4MATIC306 PS · A8 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 34.9 mpg | 185g | £200 | 37% |
| CLA Shooting Brake AMG CLA 35 4MATIC306 PS · A8 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 34 mpg | 189g | £200 | 37% |
| CLA Coupe AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+421 PS · A8 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 31.7 mpg | 201g | £200 | 37% |
| CLA Shooting Brake AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+421 PS · A8 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 31 mpg | 206g | £200 | 37% |
| CLA Coupe CLA 250 e218 PS · A8 · listed 2025 | Plug-in hybrid | 403.6 mpg | 16g | £200 | 10% |
| CLA Shooting Brake CLA 250 e218 PS · A8 · listed 2025 | Plug-in hybrid | 117.7 mpg | 54g | £200 | 17% |
| CLA Coupe Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC225 PS · A8 · listed 2024 | Petrol | 34.9 mpg | 185g | £200 | 37% |
Economy and CO2 are official WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Company car tax is the 2026/27 benefit-in-kind rate. Showing the 15 most recent of 70 versions.
What a Mercedes-Benz CLA costs to fuel
- petrol, typical official 37.2mpg…
- diesel, typical official 58.9mpg…
- Electric, typical official 5 miles per kWh…
Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.
Work out your charging costsWork out a journey in a Mercedes-Benz CLABuying a used Mercedes-Benz CLA?
Check the MOT history of the exact car: every result, advisory and mileage reading, free.
Compare the Mercedes-Benz CLA with other family hatchbacks
Reliability, economy, car tax and running costs side by side.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA reliable?
Its MOT record is better than average: the Mercedes-Benz CLA is 7% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 107 in our 2024 league (100 is average).
›What are common problems with the Mercedes-Benz CLA?
The most common MOT fault is “Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm”, found in 2.5% of tests. It fails on seat belts and airbags and tyres more often than similar cars.
›What MPG does the Mercedes-Benz CLA do?
Official economy for the Mercedes-Benz CLA ranges from 31 to 70.6mpg across the 70 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2015–2025). A typical petrol version manages 37.2mpg and a typical diesel 58.9mpg. Electric versions average 5 miles per kWh, with an official range of 492 to 492 miles. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
›How much is road tax on a Mercedes-Benz CLA?
Any Mercedes-Benz CLA first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Mercedes-Benz CLA registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £325 a year.
›How many Mercedes-Benz CLAs fail their MOT?
19.7% of Mercedes-Benz CLAs aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024, and 14.0% failed at their first MOT.
Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the Mercedes-Benz CLA combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.