Sell your 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class for cash

The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is a compact car that came with a choice of 5.0L 8-cyl and 5.5L 12-cyl engines. At 23 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class at a glance

Body styleCompact Cars
Engines5.0L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl (supercharged versions available)
TransmissionsAutomatic 5-spd
DriveRear-Wheel Drive
FuelPremium Gasoline
Fuel economy12–14 city / 17–20 highway / 14–16 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$5,150–$5,850 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂555–635 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA3 configurations: CL500, CL55 AMG, CL600
Age23 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 23 years old, most of a 2003 CL-Class's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a compact car, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 CL-Class. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the air bags, typically around 15,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

SuspensionAug 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V405000

Mercedes benz is recalling 4,564 my 2001-2006 CL-Class (model 215), my 2002-2006 s-class (model 220), my 2003-2007 sl-class (model 230), my 2007-2008 CL-Class (model 216), and my 2007 s-class (model 221)passenger vehicles equipped with active body control (abc) acceleration sensors on the front struts. These sensors measure…

Risk: A variation in the transmitted values between affected and unaffected sensors can result in one front strut adjusting to a value indicating body movement while another strut does not adjust presenting the driver with an uneven front suspens

SuspensionJun 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V263000

On certain vehicles, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the active body control's (abc) high pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to humidity causing deterioration of the hose.

Risk: This may result in abc hydraulic fluid leakage near the catalytic converter. Leaking fluid may come in contact with hot engine components and lead to a possible fire.

Latches/Locks/LinkagesJun 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V285000

On certain vehicles, the trunk lid springs could fail in the closed trunk lid position.

Risk: If the trunk lid is manually lifted, it may not remain in the up position and could cause injury if it comes down while someone is reaching into the trunk.

SuspensionMay 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V228000

On certain passenger vehicles, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the active body control's (abc) high-pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to heat and humidity. Over time, corrosion may deteriorate the inner steel portions of the hose.

Risk: This may result in abc hydraulic fluid leakage. Under some circumstances, leaking hydraulic fluid may come in contact with hot engine components and lead to a possibility of fire.

Common 2003 CL-Class problems

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class with NHTSA. 3 reports involved a crash and 4 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 3 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Air Bags3
  • Seat Belts3
  • Suspension3
  • Electrical System2
  • Seats2
  • Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Air Bags15,000 mi
  • Seat Belts12,000 mi
  • Suspension80,000 mi
  • Electrical System80,000 mi
  • Seats9,000 mi
  • Electronic Stability Control (Esc)81,000 mi

2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 37 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Exterior Lighting10
  • Power Train6
  • Electrical System4
  • Seats3
  • Service Brakes3
  • Structure3

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2026 · LI42.10-P-078779

    Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2026 · LI82.62-P-078631

    Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the no

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2026 · LI82.62-P-078631

    Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the no

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2026 · LI35.30-P-058566

    Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing directio

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 2005 · 887039

    Seal between exterior rear view mirror housing and door. *tt

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2004 · 010104

    The high pressure hydraulic distribution hose of the active body control (abc) may deteriorate over time due to excessive exposure to humidity and high temperatures. Volu

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Selling a 2003 CL-Class: questions

How much is a 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2003 CL-Class that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2003 CL-Classs that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2003 CL-Class with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2003 CL-Class?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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