Used Mercedes CLA 2019-2025 reliability

The CLA is quite long for a family car and the seating position is low, with awkward visibility out of that coupé-style rear. With that in mind, check the extremities of the car carefully for any dents or dings. Also, check the alloy wheels for any kerb damage. It’s worth checking any electrical equipment on board as well to make sure it all works.

There have been seven recalls for the CLA so far. Check with your local dealer that the works have been carried out.

Reason for recall

The air conditioning system on the affected vehicles might erroneously be filled with the incorrect refrigerant

How the manufacturer will repair

Replace the refrigerant in the air conditioning system on the affected vehicles.

Reason for recall

The mounting of an argon gas line to generator of the inerter system might not meet specifications.

How the manufacturer will repair

Check the mounting of the gas line to the gas generator on the affected vehicles and rework it if necessary.

Reason for recall

An electrical contacting inside the engine control unit might not meet the specification

How the manufacturer will repair

Replace the engine control unit on the affected vehicles.

Reason for recall

Under certain circumstances it might not be possible to shift into Drive or Reverse mode.

How the manufacturer will repair

Update the transmission control unit software of the affected vehicles.

Reason for recall

The software of the radar control unit might not meet the specification

How the manufacturer will repair

Update the software of the radar sensor control unit on the affected vehicles.

Reason for recall

Certain driver airbag modules might not be bolted onto the base plate.

How the manufacturer will repair

Check the driver airbag on the affected vehicles and replace it if necessary.

Reason for recall

The oil supply line of the turbocharger might leak

How the manufacturer will repair

Check the oil supply line of the turbocharger on the affected vehicles and replace it if necessary

Unfortunately, Mercedes as a brand didn’t do particularly well in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, ranking 22nd out of 31 manufacturers with a score of 89.7%.

However, the CLA did quite well in the coupe and convertible car class, finishing in seventh place out of 16 cars with a good overall score of 96.2%. This placed it above the Mercedes E-Class Coupe/Convertible and the Volkswagen Arteon, but below the Audi TT and BMW 4 Series Coupe/Convertible.

Used Mercedes CLA: owners' reliability data

As part of our latest Reliability Survey, What Car? readers said that the Mercedes CLA has had a reasonable record regarding reliability and dealer service.

Owners of both petrol and diesel models reported several common issues. Electrical problems were frequently mentioned, including faulty sensors, malfunctioning infotainment systems, and persistent warning lights. Some diesel owners experienced issues with the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), leading to costly repairs. A few readers also highlighted concerns with the automatic transmission, noting jerky shifts and occasional failures.

However, our 2024 survey has so far revealed good feedback on both the petrol and petrol-electric hybrid models (diesels were not included), with both versions finishing high up in the family car class (see results above).

Experiences with Mercedes dealerships varied widely. While some owners praised the efficient and courteous service they received, others expressed frustration over long wait times, high repair costs, and inconsistent communication.

Several readers mentioned that issues often required multiple visits to fully resolve, which impacted their overall satisfaction.

If you'd like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.