Quick Facts — Mercedes CLA

Est. On UK Roads
80,000+
Years Made
2013–present
Common Engines
1.3 petrol (CLA180/CLA200), 2.0 petrol (CLA250), 1.5 diesel (CLA180d), 2.0 diesel (CLA200d/CLA220d), AMG CLA35/CLA45

6 Most Common Mercedes CLA Problems

These are the faults most frequently seen on the Mercedes CLA by UK garages — ranked by how commonly they occur and what they cost to fix.

1
DPF Blockage (CDI Diesel)
High Priority
Diesel CLA models on short urban journeys develop DPF blockages — a compact diesel coupe used for city commuting is a high DPF risk.
💷 Typical repair cost: £150–£1,200
2
7G-DCT Dual Clutch Gearbox Judder (C118)
High Priority
The 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic on the C118 CLA produces low-speed judder and hesitation in traffic — the same well-documented issue as on the A-Class and GLA.
💷 Typical repair cost: £400–£2,500
3
7-Speed DCT Issues (C117)
Watch
The C117 uses a 7-speed DCT which also develops judder and mechatronic faults on higher mileage examples.
💷 Typical repair cost: £400–£2,000
4
AdBlue (C118 CDI)
Watch
C118 CDI CLA models require AdBlue. Sensor faults and running dry cause warnings.
💷 Typical repair cost: £10–£700
5
Rear Seat Headroom
Watch
The CLA's sloping roofline severely limits rear headroom — important to check before buying, especially for taller rear passengers. Not a fault but a common buyer complaint.
💷 Typical repair cost: N/A — design characteristic
6
Boot Lip Loading Height
Low Priority
The CLA's raised boot sill makes loading heavy items more difficult than a conventional saloon — a design trade-off for the styling.
💷 Typical repair cost: N/A — design characteristic

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Mercedes CLA — MOT Tips

DPF warning is an automatic MOT fail on diesel CLAs. AdBlue warning is MOT-relevant on C118 CDI models. 7G-DCT warning lights must be clear. EML is an automatic fail. All ADAS systems must be functional on C118 models.

Engine management light on before your MOT? It's an automatic fail. Run a Find Your Problem Now → to get the likely cause and repair cost before booking the test.

Mercedes CLA Tyres

Most Mercedes CLA models run 225/45 R17 or 235/40 R18 or 245/35 R19 depending on trim level and year. Always check the placard inside the driver's door for the exact size for your vehicle.

🔍 Not sure what's wrong? Check your symptoms & likely causes →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the Mercedes CLA?

The most frequently reported issue on the Mercedes CLA is DPF Blockage (CDI Diesel). Diesel CLA models on short urban journeys develop DPF blockages — a compact diesel coupe used for city commuting is a high DPF risk.

How many Mercedes CLAs are on UK roads?

There are an estimated 80,000+ Mercedes CLAs currently on UK roads.

What tyres does the Mercedes CLA use?

Most Mercedes CLA models run 225/45 R17 or 235/40 R18 or 245/35 R19 depending on trim level and year. Always check the placard inside the driver's door for the exact size for your vehicle.

Will a warning light fail my Mercedes CLA's MOT?

DPF warning is an automatic MOT fail on diesel CLAs. AdBlue warning is MOT-relevant on C118 CDI models. 7G-DCT warning lights must be clear. EML is an automatic fail. All ADAS systems must be functional on C118 models.

Similar Issues on Other Models

Mercedes E-Class — shares the same DPF blockage problem Mercedes S-Class — shares the same DPF blockage problem

Summary

The CLA is a desirable and stylish compact premium coupe. The C118 CLA200 petrol is the most practical and reliable choice. Avoid diesel for city use. The 7G-DCT judder is the most commonly reported issue — a manual gearbox avoids it entirely. The AMG CLA35 is a very capable performance coupe at an increasingly competitive used price.

If your Mercedes CLA has a warning light on or a symptom you can't identify, a Find Your Problem Now → gives you likely fault causes, UK repair cost estimates and MOT risk — instantly.

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Other Mercedes-Benz Models

Mercedes C-Class → Mercedes E-Class → Mercedes A-Class → Mercedes GLC →