Mercedes Benz C MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the Mercedes Benz C. Check any C by registration number below.

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77.5%

Avg Pass Rate

-12.7%

vs Mercedes Benz Avg

Year Ranges

Good

Reliability

Mercedes Benz C — MOT Reliability Overview

The Mercedes Benz C has an average MOT pass rate of 77.5%, which is 12.7 percentage points below the Mercedes Benz brand average of 90.2%. This is a reasonable result that reflects typical UK reliability standards. Regular servicing and addressing advisories promptly will help keep your C on the road.

The most common reasons a Mercedes Benz C fails its MOT are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded. If you are preparing your C for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used Mercedes Benz C, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the Mercedes Benz C performs at MOT across different model years.

2021

Based on 3,613 vehicles

91.8%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

3.5%

Retest Rate

9.2%

Mileage at 3yr

42k mi

2020

Based on 22,530 vehicles

91.3%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

3.2%

Retest Rate

9.4%

Mileage at 3yr

42k mi

Mileage at 5yr

63k mi

2019

Based on 72,561 vehicles

90.7%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

3.5%

Retest Rate

10.5%

Mileage at 3yr

44k mi

Mileage at 5yr

65k mi

2018

Based on 84,209 vehicles

89.0%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

3.8%

Retest Rate

12.1%

Mileage at 5yr

70k mi

2017

Based on 116,805 vehicles

87.2%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

3.9%

Retest Rate

14.2%

Mileage at 5yr

78k mi

2016

Based on 107,232 vehicles

85.8%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

4.1%

Retest Rate

15.0%

2015

Based on 96,414 vehicles

84.1%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

4.5%

Retest Rate

16.9%

Mileage at 10yr

144k mi

2014

Based on 72,361 vehicles

82.2%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

4.7%

Retest Rate

18.7%

Mileage at 10yr

143k mi

2013

Based on 66,755 vehicles

76.7%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

5.9%

Retest Rate

23.9%

Mileage at 10yr

146k mi

2012

Based on 75,370 vehicles

74.5%Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

6.0%

Retest Rate

25.3%

Mileage at 10yr

154k mi

2011

Based on 55,531 vehicles

74.5%Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

6.0%

Retest Rate

24.9%

2010

Based on 38,139 vehicles

73.4%Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

6.4%

Retest Rate

24.9%

2009

Based on 37,264 vehicles

71.5%Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

6.7%

Retest Rate

26.3%

2008

Based on 39,559 vehicles

70.7%Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

7.0%

Retest Rate

26.7%

2007

Based on 34,450 vehicles

69.0%Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

6.7%

Retest Rate

27.0%

2006

Based on 27,347 vehicles

66.2%Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

7.1%

Retest Rate

29.6%

2005

Based on 24,663 vehicles

66.0%Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

6.7%

Retest Rate

28.8%

2004

Based on 18,343 vehicles

64.6%Below Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

6.6%

Retest Rate

30.8%

2003

Based on 12,840 vehicles

65.3%Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

6.4%

Retest Rate

28.1%

2002

Based on 7,165 vehicles

69.0%Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

5.7%

Retest Rate

26.3%

2001

Based on 3,632 vehicles

70.0%Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

5.0%

Retest Rate

25.5%

2000

Based on 1,731 vehicles

73.0%Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

5.2%

Retest Rate

22.0%

1999

Based on 3,289 vehicles

78.7%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

2.3%

Retest Rate

17.0%

1998

Based on 3,603 vehicles

77.4%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

1.8%

Retest Rate

16.1%

1997

Based on 2,882 vehicles

79.0%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

2.4%

Retest Rate

15.6%

1996

Based on 1,611 vehicles

79.5%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

1.9%

Retest Rate

15.7%

1995

Based on 1,255 vehicles

79.9%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

1.9%

Retest Rate

14.8%

1994

Based on 954 vehicles

80.2%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

2.2%

Retest Rate

14.5%

1993

Based on 88 vehicles

75.0%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

1.7%

Retest Rate

22.4%

1992

Based on 45 vehicles

82.2%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

3.6%

Retest Rate

7.1%

1991

Based on 55 vehicles

85.5%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

4.3%

1990

Based on 50 vehicles

62.0%Below Average

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

11.4%

Retest Rate

17.1%

1989

Based on 30 vehicles

80.0%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Retest Rate

12.5%

1985

Based on 86 vehicles

77.9%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

3.9%

Retest Rate

7.8%

1984

Based on 108 vehicles

86.1%Excellent

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Dangerous Defects

1.6%

Retest Rate

7.9%

1983

Based on 39 vehicles

79.5%Good

Mercedes Benz average: 90.2%

Retest Rate

31.3%

Top MOT Failures — Mercedes Benz C

The most common reasons a Mercedes Benz C fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

3.0%

A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn

3.0%

Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded

2.3%

A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched

2.2%

Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

2.1%

Mercedes Benz C Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Front Nearside

2.6%

Rear Nearside

2.1%

Front Offside

2.0%

Other Mercedes Benz Models

Compare MOT reliability across Mercedes Benz models.

Mercedes Benz E 300

94.2% pass rate

Mercedes Benz E

83.5% pass rate

Mercedes Benz Amg Gla 45 S 4matic+ Auto

92.7% pass rate

Mercedes Benz V

85.8% pass rate

Mercedes Benz Vito 112

87.8% pass rate

Mercedes Benz Sl 500

100.0% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for Mercedes Benz C

Mercedes Benz C — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Mercedes Benz C MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes Benz C?

The average MOT pass rate for the Mercedes Benz C is 77.5% compared to the Mercedes Benz average of 90.2%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes Benz C?

The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes Benz C are: The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired (3.0%), A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn (3.0%), Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded (2.3%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the Mercedes Benz C reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 77.5%, the Mercedes Benz C is rated as "Good" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a Mercedes Benz C?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a Mercedes Benz C?

Typical mileage for the Mercedes Benz C: 42,124 miles at 3 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used C to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your Mercedes Benz C's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.