Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 reliability
The Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 fails its MOT less often than most cars over 10 years old: 22.2% of 1,942 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.
6 DVSA recalls for the Mercedes-Benz Cl 500
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Faulty control unit may cause vehicle to perform outside specification
Where a control unit coding was updated in a workshop between 3 December 2016 and 5 December 2016 the coding may not correspond to the specification and may trigger unplanned action in the vehicle. The safety and emissions systems may not react as design intent.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and update the software in the corresponding control units.
Recalled models: CL CLASS · 42 vehicles
Fuel may leak
The flange of the fuel filter may leak due to a non-compliance in the supplier's production process. Should this occur a fuel odour may arise or fuel escape.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the fuel filter.
Recalled models: CL CLASS · 806 vehicles
Front lights / indicators and console lights may fail.
The SAM unit may become unreliable due to moisture in a transistor due to incorrect storage. In extreme cases various electrical functions may be affected such as front lights indicators wipers steering column adjustment and centre console lights
Fix: Recall affected vehicles and replace front SAM control unit
Recalled models: CL CLASS · 204 vehicles
Potential leak of brake line
Corrosion may occur in the brake line to the front/rear axle distibuter. If left unattended this could result in brake fluid leakage and loss of brake efficiency.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the brake pipe with one of a modified design.
Recalled models: CL CLASS · 2,987 vehicles
Instrument cluster may not illuminate.
Instrument cluster may not illuminate at all times.
Fix: Recall vehicles and check the function of the instrument panel. If found to be faulty the instrument panel will be changed.
Recalled models: CL CLASS · 5,940 vehicles
Brake pedal may require more effort than expected
In isolated cases it is possible for vibrations within the vehicle to in turn vibrate the wiring harness connected to the Sensotronic Brake Control unit. This causes the internal contacts within the unit to suffer abrasion and subsequent resistance increase. The resultant affect is that more effort will be required on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and mount an additional bracket to the electrical harness to prevent relative movement.
Recalled models: CL CLASS · 58,022 vehicles
Checking a Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.