MOT performance
Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204 (2007–2014): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 256,836 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered Aug 2007–Mar 2014, on average 12.2 years old at test), 67.6% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the W204 failed 16% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation that replaced it, the W205, it fails about as often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.84× vs 0.82×).
256,836 MOT tests on 131,619 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 67.6% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 256,836 |
| All Mercedes-Benz C-Classs | 74.5% | n = 766,949 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.84× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; Mercedes-Benz C-Class overall 0.85× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 10.1% | n = 256,836 |
| Average age at test | 12.2 years | n = 256,836 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2007–2014 | Jun 2007 to May 2014 |
W204 against the other Mercedes-Benz C-Class generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W204 (2007–2014) | 256,836 | 12.2 yrs | 67.6% | -16% | 10.1% |
| W205 (2014–2021) | 382,946 | 6.1 yrs | 83.0% | -18% | 7.4% |
Where the W204 differs
- Steering: the W204 failed 55% less often than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.17× vs 0.36×).
- Brakes: the W204 failed 32% more often than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (1.14× vs 0.86×).
- Road wheels: the W204 failed 22% less often than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (1.47× vs 1.87×).
| Area | W204 (vs similar) | W205 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 14.9% (+1%) | 3.9% (-10%) |
| Brakes | 11.0% (+14%) | 2.1% (-49%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 9.2% (-45%) | 2.1% (-66%) |
| Tyres | 7.9% (+2%) | 7.8% (+27%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.0% (-9%) | 2.3% (+35%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.5% (-56%) | 1.8% (-49%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 1.4% (-74%) | 0.3% (-79%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.4% (-2%) | 0.3% (-30%) |
| Road wheels | 0.8% (+47%) | 0.7% (+137%) |
| Steering | 0.5% (-83%) | 0.1% (-90%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% (-6%) | 0.4% (+55%) |
Most common Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204 failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 6.05% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.28% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 3.25% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 2.79% |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Suspension | 2.74% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | W204 pass rate (tests) | W205 pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | — | 87.8% (73,362) |
| 5-6 | — | 84.0% (132,938) |
| 7-8 | 77.3% (783) | 80.4% (134,741) |
| 9-10 | 71.9% (58,786) | 78.3% (32,575) |
| 11-12 | 68.4% (93,931) | — |
| 13-15 | 64.6% (88,266) | — |
| 16+ | 62.6% (15,070) | — |
Registration years in the W204
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 12,505 | 63.0% |
| 2008 | 30,945 | 63.3% |
| 2009 | 29,172 | 63.8% |
| 2010 | 29,861 | 66.5% |
| 2011 | 42,165 | 68.5% |
| 2012 | 55,992 | 68.8% |
| 2013 | 49,846 | 71.3% |
| 2014 | 6,350 | 74.2% |
Year pages cover every Mercedes-Benz C-Class registered that year, including any of another generation.
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the W204 (Jun 2007 to May 2014). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204
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.