Mercedes-Benz Cla — Buyer's Guide
Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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Mercedes-Benz Cla overview
With 767 currently licensed in the UK, the Mercedes-Benz Cla is one of Britain's well-known cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the Cla 5 stars in 2025, with 94% adult occupant and 89% child protection scores.
It has a 79.8% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include suspension, brakes, lighting.
Annual running costs are estimated at £3,776 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £315/month or 51p/mile.
Theft risk is rated high at 11.9 per 1,000 registered vehicles.
NCAP Safety
2025
MOT Pass Rate
79.8%
210,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£315
est. annual total
New From
£40,855
Safety rating
Euro NCAP tested the Cla in 2025 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
94%
Child Occupant
89%
Pedestrian
94%
Safety Assist
85%
Safety recalls
There are 54 known DVSA recalls affecting the Mercedes-Benz Cla. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2026/203
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain CLA (174 platform) and GLB (244 platform) vehicles the software of the communication module might not meet the intended specification.
Build dates: 2025-05-27 to 2026-01-14
R/2025/533
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain CLA (174 platform) vehicles the bolting of the front seats and/or belt buckles might not meet specifications.
Build dates: 2025-05-23 to 2025-07-30
R/2025/556
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain CLA (178 platform) vehicles with 4-cylinder gasoline engine the 48V wiring harness might not meet specifications.
Build dates: 2025-11-25 to 2025-12-17
R/2025/459
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain CLA (174 platform) vehicles the belt buckles of the driver and passenger seats might not meet specifications respectively.
Build dates: 2025-01-15 to 2025-09-06
R/2025/460
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain CLA (174 platform) vehicles the routing of a window-airbag wiring harness in the area of the D-pillar might not meet specifications.
Build dates: 2025-05-14 to 2025-10-24
+ 49 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Reliability & MOT
Based on 210,000 MOT tests, the Cla has a first-time pass rate of 79.8% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The Cla is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
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Running costs
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Mercedes-Benz Cla are estimated at around £3,776 per year, or £315 per month.
Fuel
£1,201
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,650
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
Fuel economy
The Cla achieves a combined fuel economy of around 47.9 mpg (33.2 mpg urban, 50.4 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLA COUPE MODEL YEAR 2020.5 | PETROL | 47.9 mpg | 1.3L |
| CLA COUPE MODEL YEAR 2020.5 | DIESEL | 58.9 mpg | 1.9L |
| CLA COUPE MODEL YEAR 2020.5 | PETROL | 37.2 mpg | 2.0L |
| CLA COUPE MODEL YEAR 2021.5 | PETROL | 49.6 mpg | 1.3L |
| CLA COUPE MODEL YEAR 2021.5 | DIESEL | 61.4 mpg | 1.9L |
| CLA COUPE MODEL YEAR 2021.5 | PETROL | 39.2 mpg | 2.0L |
| CLA COUPE MODEL YEAR 2022 | PETROL | 43.5 mpg | 1.3L |
| CLA COUPE MODEL YEAR 2022 | DIESEL | 53.3 mpg | 1.9L |
Depreciation
Starting from £40,855 new, a Mercedes-Benz Cla typically retains about 56% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 75% | £30,650 | −£10,205 |
| 2 years | 64% | £26,050 | −£14,805 |
| 3 years | 56% | £22,900 | −£17,955 |
| 4 years | 50% | £20,650 | −£20,205 |
| 5 years | 46% | £19,000 | −£21,855 |
| 6 years | 43% | £17,650 | −£23,205 |
| 7 years | 41% | £16,600 | −£24,255 |
| 8 years | 39% | £15,750 | −£25,105 |
| 9 years | 37% | £14,950 | −£25,905 |
| 10 years | 35% | £14,200 | −£26,655 |
Theft risk
The Cla has a theft rate of 11.9 per 1,000 registered vehicles, rated high compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000. Consider additional security measures such as a steering lock or tracking device.
How common is the Cla?
There are currently 767 licensed and 0 SORN Clas in the UK (767 total). This makes it a very rare vehicle on UK roads.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz Cla reliable?
The Cla has a 79.8% first-time MOT pass rate based on 210,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
How safe is the Mercedes-Benz Cla?
Euro NCAP awarded the Cla 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2025. It scored 94% for adult occupant protection, 89% for child occupant protection, 94% for vulnerable road users, and 85% for safety assist features.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz Cla cost to run?
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Cla are estimated at around £3,776 per year (£315/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
Are there any recalls on the Mercedes-Benz Cla?
There are 54 known safety recalls affecting the Cla. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
Is the Mercedes-Benz Cla likely to be stolen?
The Cla has a theft rate of 11.9 per 1,000 registered vehicles, which is rated high compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000. Extra security measures like tracking devices and steering locks are recommended.
How much does a new Mercedes-Benz Cla cost?
A new Cla starts from around £40,855. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 46% of its original value.
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