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Executive car · 1996–2021 cars

Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails 24% of first MOT tests, 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 1,367,192 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 66/100#29 of 40 executive cars

Checking a Mercedes-Benz C-Class before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
24%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
18% fewer
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
1,367,192
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
9,100
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The C-Class can be a good buy, but check each car carefully. Across 1,367,192 MOT tests from 2022 to 2024, 24% of first-time tests failed, against 28.4% for all cars. That is 18% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The model ranks 29 of 40 executive car models. The 2015 cars did best, with 28% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2004 cars were about average.

Tyres are the weak area, with 9% more fails there than comparable cars. Before you buy, check the suspension ball joints for excessive wear, the most common failure at 3.23% of tests. Look for tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.7% of tests), coil springs that are fractured or broken (2.05%), and tyre ply or cords exposed (1.37%).

MOT fail rate by age

How the Mercedes-Benz C-Class ages

Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz C-Classs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%12.5%25%37.5%50%3691215182124Age at MOT (years)
Mercedes-Benz C-ClassAll cars
Mercedes-Benz C-Class first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)Mercedes-Benz C-ClassAll cars
310.9%12.3%
412%14.1%
514%16.4%
615.8%19.1%
717.3%22.1%
819.3%25.5%
922.6%28.8%
1027.5%31.8%
1129.7%34.6%
1230.6%37.3%
1333.4%39.5%
1434.6%41.1%
1536.7%42.3%
1639%42.9%
1741.1%43.4%
1842.4%43.5%
1942.5%43.4%
2040.5%42.8%
2139.5%41.4%
2237.3%40.6%
2333.2%38.9%
2429.2%37.1%
2528.3%35.8%

By year

The best and worst Mercedes-Benz C-Class years

2015 cars come out best and 2004 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
2021 C-Class3,2659.5%22% fewer fails27,734
2020 C-Class21,79110.8%19% fewer fails32,017
2019 C-Class79,78211.2%19% fewer fails33,927
2018 C-Class110,25412.7%20% fewer fails40,585
2017 C-Class153,46014.9%21% fewer fails50,362
2016 C-Class141,63816.8%25% fewer fails62,374
2015 C-Class130,28118.8%28% fewer fails73,502
2014 C-Class97,28320.9%28% fewer fails79,370
2013 C-Class90,70226.5%17% fewer fails86,633
2012 C-Class101,66329.3%16% fewer fails93,697
2011 C-Class75,60430%20% fewer fails101,465
2010 C-Class52,95632.2%19% fewer fails103,320
2009 C-Class51,53334.3%18% fewer fails111,289
2008 C-Class54,74735.3%18% fewer fails114,119
2007 C-Class48,44338.4%11% fewer fails112,608
2006 C-Class39,72240.8%7% fewer fails112,036
2005 C-Class36,18442.4%5% fewer fails116,701
2004 C-Class27,50043.2%2% fewer fails112,915
2003 C-Class19,68342.2%3% fewer fails108,794
2002 C-Class11,38839%8% fewer fails99,915
2001 C-Class6,10338.7%6% fewer fails98,368
2000 C-Class2,79534.6%15% fewer fails100,348
1999 C-Class4,33029.1%25% fewer fails106,228
1998 C-Class4,22429.9%21% fewer fails111,498
1997 C-Class1,52029.3%22% fewer fails114,767
199634128.2%23% fewer fails103,425

Common problems

What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Suspension9.2%2% below avg
  • Tyres7.2%9% above avg
  • Lights and electrics6.2%47% below avg
  • Brakes6%15% below avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.3%0% below avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.5%48% below avg
  • Body, chassis and structure1%72% below avg
  • Seat belts and airbags0.9%13% below avg
  • Wheels0.7%77% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.23% of tests

    A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.

  2. 2

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.7% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  3. 3

    Coil spring fractured or broken 2.05% of tests

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  4. 4

    Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.37% of tests

    Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

  5. 5

    Engine warning light inoperative or lit 1.22% of tests

    An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.

  6. 6

    Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.18% of tests

    Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.

  7. 7

    Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.17% of tests

    A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.

  8. 8

    Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 1.07% of tests

    A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz C-Class's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit14.72%
  • Brake pipes corroded and greasy6.96%
  • Brake pads wearing thin5.95%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored5.9%
  • Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.82%
  • Suspension ball joint slight play3.44%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz C-Class

  1. 1

    Suspension ball joint excessively worn

    A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.

  2. 2

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  3. 3

    Coil spring fractured or broken

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  4. 4

    Tyre ply or cords exposed

    Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

  5. 5

    Every MOT since new

    Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.

  6. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical Mercedes-Benz C-Class covers about 9,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 7

    Finance, stolen and write-off

    The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

  • Diesel61.9%
  • Petrol33.8%
  • Hybrid4.2%
  • Other0.1%
  • LPG0%
  • Electric0%

Most common colours

Silver, Black, White, Grey, Blue

Average engine size: 2.1 litres.

Compare

How the Mercedes-Benz C-Class compares with its rivals

Mercedes-Benz C-Class against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Audi A620.1%36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 5 Series20.4%35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A519.7%30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz E-Class21%27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 3 Series24.3%26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A426.5%21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz C-Class24%18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Mercedes-Benz models.

Questions

Mercedes-Benz C-Class questions, answered

Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable?

On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is better than average: it fails 24% of first MOT tests, 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 29 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class are suspension ball joint excessively worn (3.23% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.7% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.05% of tests). By area, suspension fails 9.2% of its tests.

Which Mercedes-Benz C-Class year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2004 cars do worst (about average for its age).

How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz C-Class do a year?

A typical Mercedes-Benz C-Class covers about 9,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Mercedes-Benz C-Class before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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