MOT performance
Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205 (2014–2021): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 382,946 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered Aug 2014–Apr 2021, on average 6.1 years old at test), 83.0% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the W205 failed 18% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation before it, the W204, it fails about as often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.82× vs 0.84×).
382,946 MOT tests on 190,488 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 83.0% | ±0.1 pts (95%), n = 382,946 |
| All Mercedes-Benz C-Classs | 74.5% | n = 766,949 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.82× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; Mercedes-Benz C-Class overall 0.85× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 7.4% | n = 382,946 |
| Average age at test | 6.1 years | n = 382,946 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2014–2021 | Jun 2014 to Jun 2021 |
W205 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 W205 differs
- Steering: the W205 failed 72% less often than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.10× vs 0.36×).
- Brakes: the W205 failed 42% less often than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.51× vs 0.86×).
- Lights, reflectors and electrical: the W205 failed 37% less often than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.34× vs 0.54×).
- Noise, emissions and leaks: the W205 failed 29% more often than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (1.35× vs 1.04×).
| Area | W204 (vs similar) | W205 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 7.9% (+2%) | 7.8% (+27%) |
| Suspension | 14.9% (+1%) | 3.9% (-10%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.0% (-9%) | 2.3% (+35%) |
| Brakes | 11.0% (+14%) | 2.1% (-49%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 9.2% (-45%) | 2.1% (-66%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.5% (-56%) | 1.8% (-49%) |
| Road wheels | 0.8% (+47%) | 0.7% (+137%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% (-6%) | 0.4% (+55%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.4% (-2%) | 0.3% (-30%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 1.4% (-74%) | 0.3% (-79%) |
| Steering | 0.5% (-83%) | 0.1% (-90%) |
Most common Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205 failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.28% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.83% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 1.74% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 1.67% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.58% |
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 W205
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 24,530 | 78.8% |
| 2015 | 70,294 | 79.4% |
| 2016 | 75,155 | 81.3% |
| 2017 | 80,588 | 83.1% |
| 2018 | 57,788 | 85.5% |
| 2019 | 50,514 | 87.6% |
| 2020 | 20,827 | 87.3% |
| 2021 | 3,250 | 87.1% |
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 W205 (Jun 2014 to Jun 2021). 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 W205
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.