2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA 1.3L Petrol · YN71 WDK

The most recent DVSA examination on 23 May 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories or defects recorded, indicating that on the day of inspection the vehicle met all statutory roadworthiness requirements. The earlier test on 19 April 2024 also passed without any recorded issues, giving a two-test history that is entirely free of advisories, failures, or recurring concerns. While a short MOT record with two clean passes does not provide a long trendline, the absence of any deterioration or repeat items is a positive signal. For a prospective buyer, this means there is no documented pattern of neglect or borderline component wear within the official record, and the vehicle can reasonably be regarded as having been kept in a roadworthy condition through to its most recent test. The recorded mileage of 39,741 miles over a five-year period equates to around 7,948 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a premium-class coupe of this age and is neither so low as to suggest prolonged standing nor so high as to imply excessive motorway or fleet-style wear. There are no obvious gaps or unusually rapid accumulations within the recorded MOT mileages, suggesting consistent and moderate use. This level of annual mileage generally keeps consumables such as brake pads, discs, and tyres within their normal service life, while not being so low that one would expect significant issues with seized brake calipers or fluid degradation from standing. Mechanically, the car should be in a well-run-in rather than heavily worn state, with components such as the clutch, turbocharger, and timing chain having seen reasonable but not extreme use. Given the clean MOT history and typical mileage, attention should shift toward age-related rather than wear-related inspection points. Even at moderate annual mileage, a five-year-old vehicle is approaching the point where its 12V auxiliary battery may begin to show reduced cranking performance, particularly if the car is used predominantly for short journeys, so a battery health check or voltage test is worthwhile. Tyres should be examined closely for age-related perishing or sidewall cracking, as rubber compounds degrade with calendar age irrespective of tread depth, and the production date markings on the sidewalls should be checked to confirm they are not disproportionately old. Brake discs, particularly on a car that may have had periods of light use, can develop surface corrosion or lipping, and binding calipers are a known issue on vehicles left standing, so a test drive should include several moderate to firm brake applications from higher speeds to confirm straight-line stability and pedal feel without pulling or shuddering. Other practical checks appropriate to a 2021 model include inspection of the engine and transmission fluids for condition and correct level, as brake fluid should typically be refreshed every two years and engine coolant may be due for replacement on a time-based schedule rather than purely mileage. The underside, exhaust system, and suspension components including coil springs, control arm bushes, and drop links should be visually examined for corrosion or fluid leaks from the dampers, as corrosion-related advisories are a common MOT failure point on vehicles of this age. On a road test, listen for any suspension clonks over uneven surfaces, monitor for vibration through the steering wheel which may indicate warped front brake discs, and verify smooth operation of the dual-clutch or automatic transmission with no harsh or delayed changes. Finally, confirming a full Mercedes-Benz main dealer or specialist service history with stamped entries at the correct intervals will provide the strongest assurance that the clean MOT record reflects genuine mechanical upkeep rather than simply passing minimum test standards.