MOT performance

Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate and common failures

Across 766,949 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class in 2023–2024, 74.5% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Mercedes-Benz C-Classs failed 15% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “ball joint: ball joint excessively worn”, on 4.04% of tests.

766,949 MOT tests on 392,332 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

Check a specific car's MOT history and running costs

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT results at a glance
Figure	Value	Basis
First-time pass rate	74.5%	±0.1 pts (95%), n = 766,949
Failures vs similar cars	0.85×	same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Tests with a dangerous defect	8.7%	n = 766,949
Average age at test	9.9 years	n = 766,949
Median mileage at test	77,009 miles	n = 766,949
Vehicles tested	392,332	2023–2024

Where Mercedes-Benz C-Classs fail

The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT failures by area
Area	Tests failed on it	vs similar cars
Suspension	9.9%	+2%
Tyres	7.8%	+15%
Lights, reflectors and electrical	6.4%	-46%
Brakes	6.4%	-13%
Noise, emissions and leaks	3.5%	+4%
Driver's view of the road	2.6%	-45%
Body, chassis and structure	1.1%	-72%
Seat belts and airbags	1.0%	-12%
Road wheels	0.8%	+87%
Steering	0.8%	-64%
Registration plates and VIN	0.4%	+12%
Speedometer and driving controls	0.0%	-52%

Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate by fuel: diesel vs petrol vs hybrid

Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Fuels that differ materially from the model as a whole have their own page.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT results by fuel
Fuel	Tests	Average age	First-time pass	vs similar cars
Diesel	465,960	9.5 yrs	73.5%	-13%
Petrol	261,620	11.2 yrs	74.8%	-20%
Hybrid	38,446	5.3 yrs	84.8%	-2%

Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate by generation

Generations by first-registration date against 73 Auto's catalogue (cars registered within three months of a changeover left out).

Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT results by generation
Generation	Tests	Average age	First-time pass	vs similar cars
W204 (2007–2014)	256,836	12.2 yrs	67.6%	-16%
W205 (2014–2021)	382,946	6.1 yrs	83.0%	-18%

Most common failure items

Most common Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT failure items
Item	Area	Share of tests
Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	4.04%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	3.29%
Coil spring: fractured or broken	Suspension	2.60%
Condition: has ply or cords exposed	Tyres	1.78%
Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	1.51%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction	Noise, emissions and leaks	1.50%
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded	Brakes	1.40%
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Suspension	1.34%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	1.26%
Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements	Brakes	1.21%

Most common advisories

Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.

Most common Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT advisories
Item	Area	Share of tests
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	18.20%
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded	Brakes	8.48%
Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	Brakes	7.52%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	7.45%
Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure	Tyres	4.89%

Pass rate by age

Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate by age at test
Age at test (years)	Tests	First-time pass rate	Failures vs similar cars
3-4	74,176	87.8%	-15%
5-6	132,938	84.0%	-14%
7-8	139,991	80.3%	-20%
9-10	108,494	74.3%	-20%
11-12	93,931	68.4%	-16%
13-15	91,037	64.5%	-17%
16+	114,393	59.9%	-8%

Pass rate by registration year

Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate by registration year
Registered	Tests	First-time pass rate	Failures vs similar cars
2021	6,643	86.7%	1.05×
2020	20,827	87.3%	0.96×
2019	50,514	87.6%	0.84×
2018	57,788	85.5%	0.85×
2017	80,588	83.1%	0.86×
2016	75,155	81.3%	0.83×
2015	70,294	79.4%	0.77×
2014	52,480	77.1%	0.76×
2013	49,846	71.3%	0.86×
2012	55,992	68.8%	0.86×
2011	42,165	68.5%	0.82×
2010	29,861	66.5%	0.82×
2009	29,172	63.8%	0.85×
2008	30,945	63.3%	0.84×
2007	27,813	60.9%	0.89×
2006	22,509	58.7%	0.93×
2005	20,009	57.8%	0.94×
2004	15,051	56.9%	0.96×
2003	10,610	57.7%	0.96×
2002	5,946	61.0%	0.92×
2001	3,194	61.8%	0.93×
2000	1,480	66.2%	0.83×
1999	1,832	69.7%	0.81×
1998	2,013	70.7%	0.85×
1997	1,592	71.4%	0.87×
1996	908	72.8%	0.86×
1995	701	71.8%	0.90×
1994	559	72.6%	0.87×

Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.

Compared with similar models

Check a specific Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.

UK number plate or 17-character VIN

About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.