2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA 2.1L Diesel · OU63 MXW

A consistent pattern of clean MOT passes, with only a single failure recorded in 2024 that returned no defect details, points to a vehicle that has maintained its roadworthy status across all but one test in the recorded history. The most recent examination on 3 September 2026 was a pass with no defects or advisories noted, and the two prior tests in July 2025 and July 2024 also passed cleanly. Looking back further, the advisories that have appeared cluster around consumable items rather than structural or safety-critical components, suggesting that any mechanical wear has been within expected boundaries for a vehicle of this age. The single failure on 5 July 2024 lacks any recorded defect information, which limits interpretation, but the immediate retest just five days later on 10 July 2024 passed without comment, indicating any underlying issue was either minor or corrected swiftly. At 71,287 miles over approximately thirteen years, this CLA averages around 5,484 miles per year, which is notably low for a vehicle of its age and considerably below typical annual mileage for a car in this segment. Such restrained usage reduces wear on major drivetrain components and is consistent with the absence of recurring advisories on suspension bushes, steering components, or underbody corrosion throughout the record. The relatively even spread of tests from 2019 through 2026, combined with the modest mileage accumulation, reflects either limited daily use or a usage profile dominated by shorter journeys. There are no significant gaps in the testing history that would suggest the vehicle was laid up for extended periods, which is relevant given that prolonged standing can accelerate issues with brake corrosion, tyre flat-spotting, and fluid degradation. Buyers should nevertheless pay particular attention to the areas where advisories have previously been raised, as these indicate components approaching or reaching their service threshold. Front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin in both November 2021 and November 2020, and while no brake-related advisories have appeared since, it is prudent to assess pad remaining thickness directly during a physical inspection and to check the brake discs for lipping or surface corrosion, particularly given the low annual mileage which can lead to disc corrosion even when pad material remains serviceable. The nearside front tyre was noted in both 2022 and 2021 as being worn close to the legal limit and on the edge, with cracking and perishing also recorded in 2021, and a nail was found in the nearside rear tyre in 2022. These recurring tyre observations may suggest tracking misalignment, inconsistent rotation, or simply age-related rubber degradation, and a prospective buyer should inspect all four tyres closely for uneven shoulder wear, sidewall cracking, and manufacturing date codes, while also feeling for steering pull or vibration through the wheel during a test drive. Given the 2013 model year and the front-wheel-drive CLA platform, particular attention during any physical inspection should be directed towards the front suspension, specifically the lower wishbones, anti-roll bar drop links, and top mounts, listening for clonks or knocks over speed humps and uneven road surfaces. Steering should be checked for any vagueness or juddering under braking, which can indicate warped front discs. With low mileage, the engine and gearbox are unlikely to have suffered significant wear, but it is still worth checking for any oil seepage around the engine and transmission, as well as ensuring the automatic gearbox changes smoothly through all gears. Finally, given the repeated front tyre edge wear advisories, a four-wheel alignment check would be a sensible precaution, as the historical record hints at a geometry issue that may now be resolved or may still be present.