Mercedes-Benz C-Class Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class passes its MOT first time on 74.2% of tests, 5.3 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (68.8%). That puts it ahead of 75% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2014 C-Class does best (beats 87% of cars) and the 2004 worst (beats 60%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Hybrid does best (beats 92%) and the 1.8 Petrol worst (beats 69%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, visibility, body & structure.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension ball joints2.4×as often as a typical car

Brake pipes1.7×as often as a typical car

Engine warning light1.4×as often as a typical car

Ball joint dust covers1.6×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Mercedes-Benz C-ClassTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 74%

Beats 62%

Beats 79%

Beats 79%

Beats 80%

Beats 79%

Beats 75%

Beats 65%

Beats 65%

Beats 62%

Beats 60%

Beats 61%

Beats 64%

Beats 68%

Beats 77%

Beats 78%

Beats 80%

Beats 83%

Beats 77%

Beats 80%

Beats 87%

Beats 86%

Beats 82%

Beats 75%

Beats 75%

Beats 74%

Beats 60%

Beats 55%

Beats 70%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel	2001–2019	1,735,626	73.8%	Beats 75%	B
1.8 Petrol	1994–2013	492,259	63.9%	Beats 69%	B
2.0 Petrol	1996–2019	280,894	81.2%	Beats 81%	A
1.6 Petrol	2009–2019	114,728	76.4%	Beats 82%	A
2.0 Diesel	2018–2021	85,524	86.2%	Beats 72%	B
2.0 Hybrid	2015–2022	73,855	85.2%	Beats 92%	A
3.0 Diesel	2005–2013	60,652	69.3%	Beats 83%	A
1.5 Petrol	2018–2020	59,041	88.5%	Beats 83%	A
1.6 Diesel	2015–2020	53,888	81.0%	Beats 67%	B
3.0 Petrol	2006–2020	40,357	82.0%	Beats 68%	B
6.2 Petrol	2008–2014	37,009	83.9%	Beats 98%	A
4.0 Petrol	2015–2020	32,029	86.6%	Beats 78%	B
2.1 Diesel hybrid	2015–2017	27,623	81.8%	Beats 87%	A
1.5 Hybrid	2019–2021	20,820	88.0%	Beats 66%	B
2.7 Diesel	2001–2005	18,808	56.1%	Beats 65%	B
2.6 Petrol	2000–2004	10,862	59.4%	Beats 66%	B
3.2 Petrol	2001–2004	9,346	61.9%	Beats 75%	B
2.2 Diesel	1999–2009	7,485	65.6%	Beats 83%	A
2.5 Petrol	2005–2008	7,359	62.1%	Beats 67%	B
2.5 Diesel	1997–2009	5,324	64.8%	Beats 78%	B
2.4 Petrol	1998–1999	4,441	65.4%	Beats 79%	B
2.0 Diesel hybrid	2020–2021	3,705	83.0%	Beats 54%	C
3.5 Petrol	2011–2012	2,452	76.7%	Beats 89%	A
2.3 Petrol	2001–2002	2,336	54.4%	Beats 52%	C
3.5 Diesel	2010–2010	1,217	71.0%	Beats 88%	A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Tyres: 7.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension

9.5% vs 10.0%

Tyres

7.6% vs 7.0%

Lights & electrics

7.3% vs 13.0%

Brakes

6.5% vs 7.7%

Emissions & leaks

3.3% vs 3.5%

Visibility

2.8% vs 5.2%

Body & structure

1.1% vs 3.8%

Seat belts & airbags

1.0% vs 1.2%

Steering

1.0% vs 2.1%

Wheels

0.7% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Suspension ball joints 2.4× typical
Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
Engine warning light 1.4× typical
The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
Tyre tread depth
Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Coil springs
Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Mercedes-Benz C-ClassTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Tyre damage & cracking	4.0%	3.7%	1.1×
Suspension ball joints	3.8%	1.6%	2.4×
Tyre tread depth	3.5%	2.9%	1.2×
Headlight aim	2.9%	3.6%	0.8×
Coil springs	2.5%	2.6%	1.0×
Engine warning light	1.8%	1.2%	1.4×
Brake pads	1.6%	2.2%	0.7×
Brake pipes	1.6%	0.9%	1.7×
Handbrake performance	1.5%	1.6%	1.0×
Headlight bulbs & units	1.4%	2.4%	0.6×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	47.9
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	34.7
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	28.8
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	25.4
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction	23.5
A tyre seriously damaged	23.2
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	22.6
A tyre cords visible or damaged	16.6

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class1 engine88.4% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Hybrid	1,477	88.4%	Beats 70%	B

2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class4 engines86.7% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	8,011	86.3%	Beats 55%	C
1.5 Hybrid	5,082	88.3%	Beats 58%	C
2.0 Hybrid	2,386	86.4%	Beats 47%	C
2.0 Diesel hybrid	1,790	83.9%	Beats 56%	C

2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class8 engines86.4% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	17,670	86.1%	Beats 62%	B
1.5 Hybrid	8,400	88.3%	Beats 68%	B
1.5 Petrol	3,074	88.0%	Beats 68%	B
2.0 Hybrid	2,911	87.5%	Beats 60%	C
2.0 Diesel hybrid	1,915	82.2%	Beats 52%	C
3.0 Petrol	1,618	82.8%	Beats 5%	E
4.0 Petrol	1,142	84.6%	Beats 9%	E
1.6 Diesel	1,021	84.9%	Beats 54%	C

2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class9 engines87.1% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	46,492	86.1%	Beats 74%	B
1.5 Petrol	35,533	88.8%	Beats 84%	A
2.0 Petrol	15,009	87.2%	Beats 64%	B
1.5 Hybrid	7,338	87.3%	Beats 68%	B
3.0 Petrol	6,560	85.2%	Beats 45%	C
4.0 Petrol	3,515	87.0%	Beats 51%	C
1.6 Diesel	3,167	84.4%	Beats 70%	B
1.6 Petrol	2,718	88.0%	Beats 77%	B
2.1 Diesel	1,005	86.2%	Beats 72%	B

2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class8 engines85.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel	69,514	84.8%	Beats 72%	B
2.0 Petrol	36,848	87.1%	Beats 76%	B
1.5 Petrol	20,434	88.3%	Beats 84%	A
2.0 Diesel	13,351	86.5%	Beats 85%	A
2.0 Hybrid	9,812	85.8%	Beats 91%	A
3.0 Petrol	9,464	83.8%	Beats 42%	C
4.0 Petrol	5,196	86.3%	Beats 59%	C
1.6 Diesel	3,897	85.1%	Beats 76%	B

2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class7 engines84.4% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel	166,048	83.5%	Beats 72%	B
2.0 Petrol	58,352	87.3%	Beats 85%	A
2.0 Hybrid	18,005	84.7%	Beats 89%	A
1.6 Diesel	10,658	82.1%	Beats 63%	B
3.0 Petrol	10,597	84.5%	Beats 65%	B
4.0 Petrol	7,870	86.7%	Beats 75%	B
2.1 Diesel hybrid	4,429	82.3%	Beats 75%	B

2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class7 engines83.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel	173,062	82.5%	Beats 79%	B
2.0 Petrol	44,902	85.8%	Beats 86%	A
2.0 Hybrid	34,773	84.7%	Beats 95%	A
1.6 Diesel	20,186	79.9%	Beats 62%	B
4.0 Petrol	9,313	86.4%	Beats 86%	A
2.1 Diesel hybrid	8,048	82.4%	Beats 87%	A
3.0 Petrol	5,207	85.4%	Beats 83%	A

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class7 engines82.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel report →	218,090	81.2%	Beats 84%	A
2.0 Petrol	51,367	85.4%	Beats 93%	A
2.1 Diesel hybrid	15,146	81.3%	Beats 89%	A
1.6 Diesel	14,959	79.7%	Beats 74%	B
1.6 Petrol	5,570	82.1%	Beats 72%	B
4.0 Petrol	4,993	87.5%	Beats 96%	A
2.0 Hybrid	4,491	85.8%	Beats 98%	A

2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class4 engines80.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel	189,171	79.2%	Beats 85%	A
1.6 Petrol	18,855	81.8%	Beats 88%	A
2.0 Petrol	17,634	85.7%	Beats 97%	A
6.2 Petrol	6,091	86.4%	Beats 96%	A

2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class5 engines75.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel	162,917	74.2%	Beats 77%	B
1.6 Petrol	38,362	78.4%	Beats 83%	A
6.2 Petrol	11,276	84.6%	Beats 97%	A
3.0 Diesel	6,152	76.9%	Beats 87%	A
1.8 Petrol	2,750	80.9%	Beats 91%	A

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class6 engines72.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel	176,391	71.0%	Beats 74%	B
1.8 Petrol	32,216	76.7%	Beats 86%	A
1.6 Petrol	22,301	74.6%	Beats 75%	B
6.2 Petrol	9,605	83.2%	Beats 98%	A
3.0 Diesel	7,266	75.6%	Beats 90%	A
3.5 Petrol	1,197	78.3%	Beats 89%	A

2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class5 engines71.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel	134,663	70.4%	Beats 80%	B
1.8 Petrol	43,219	75.4%	Beats 88%	A
3.0 Diesel	7,202	73.1%	Beats 88%	A
6.2 Petrol	3,142	82.7%	Beats 99%	A
3.5 Petrol	1,255	75.1%	Beats 89%	A

2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class7 engines68.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel	69,142	66.5%	Beats 75%	B
1.8 Petrol	42,451	71.8%	Beats 85%	A
3.0 Diesel	12,912	69.0%	Beats 83%	A
1.6 Petrol	6,867	68.0%	Beats 77%	B
6.2 Petrol	3,079	82.4%	Beats 99%	A
3.5 Diesel	1,217	71.0%	Beats 88%	A
2.0 Petrol	1,116	71.1%	Beats 83%	A

2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class7 engines66.3% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel	79,141	64.8%	Beats 75%	B
1.8 Petrol	22,472	67.9%	Beats 78%	B
1.6 Petrol	20,055	69.4%	Beats 84%	A
3.0 Diesel	5,741	66.9%	Beats 81%	A
2.2 Diesel	1,718	66.7%	Beats 80%	A
6.2 Petrol	1,285	80.9%	Beats 99%	A
2.5 Diesel	1,155	63.5%	Beats 69%	B

2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class8 engines64.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel	74,871	63.0%	Beats 74%	B
1.8 Petrol	48,312	66.0%	Beats 77%	B
3.0 Diesel	9,331	65.8%	Beats 81%	A
3.0 Petrol	2,862	73.5%	Beats 95%	A
6.2 Petrol	2,531	81.7%	Beats 100%	A
2.2 Diesel	2,224	66.1%	Beats 83%	A
2.0 Petrol	1,514	68.7%	Beats 84%	A
2.5 Petrol	1,012	72.2%	Beats 93%	A

2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class6 engines61.5% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.1 Diesel	63,455	60.6%	Beats 68%	B
1.8 Petrol	58,131	61.6%	Beats 65%	B
3.0 Diesel	4,696	66.3%	Beats 85%	A
3.0 Petrol	2,822	71.1%	Beats 90%	A
2.5 Petrol	1,525	61.4%	Beats 64%	B
2.2 Diesel	1,106	68.0%	Beats 89%	A

2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class5 engines59.1% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	59,415	60.5%	Beats 65%	B
2.1 Diesel	47,211	57.0%	Beats 62%	B
3.0 Diesel	4,877	62.4%	Beats 78%	B
2.5 Petrol	3,032	60.4%	Beats 62%	B
3.0 Petrol	1,227	57.9%	Beats 59%	C

2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class5 engines56.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	56,219	57.6%	Beats 60%	B
2.1 Diesel	48,042	55.9%	Beats 62%	B
2.7 Diesel	3,014	56.3%	Beats 63%	B
3.0 Diesel	2,475	60.3%	Beats 74%	B
2.5 Petrol	1,790	59.8%	Beats 64%	B

2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class5 engines55.5% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	56,936	55.7%	Beats 58%	C
2.1 Diesel	26,279	55.1%	Beats 63%	B
2.7 Diesel	6,333	54.6%	Beats 61%	B
3.2 Petrol	2,214	59.3%	Beats 67%	B
2.6 Petrol	1,026	57.8%	Beats 61%	B

2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class6 engines56.0% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	42,968	55.9%	Beats 59%	C
2.1 Diesel	20,762	55.4%	Beats 64%	B
2.7 Diesel	4,967	55.1%	Beats 63%	B
2.6 Petrol	2,842	57.9%	Beats 63%	B
3.2 Petrol	2,661	61.8%	Beats 76%	B
2.0 Petrol	1,260	56.5%	Beats 60%	C

2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class7 engines57.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	20,267	57.9%	Beats 63%	B
2.1 Diesel	10,981	56.3%	Beats 67%	B
1.8 Petrol	6,669	56.5%	Beats 60%	B
2.7 Diesel	3,266	59.2%	Beats 74%	B
2.6 Petrol	3,002	60.4%	Beats 70%	B
3.2 Petrol	2,359	64.4%	Beats 83%	A
2.3 Petrol	1,155	53.9%	Beats 49%	C

2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class6 engines58.5% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	14,085	58.0%	Beats 63%	B
2.1 Diesel	4,881	58.3%	Beats 71%	B
2.6 Petrol	2,846	59.7%	Beats 65%	B
3.2 Petrol	2,112	61.8%	Beats 74%	B
2.7 Diesel	1,228	59.0%	Beats 72%	B
2.3 Petrol	1,181	54.9%	Beats 55%	C

2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class4 engines62.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	5,619	62.7%	Beats 75%	B
1.8 Petrol	1,476	64.5%	Beats 79%	B
2.2 Diesel	1,273	61.8%	Beats 78%	B
2.6 Petrol	1,146	61.0%	Beats 70%	B

1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class5 engines64.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	4,872	65.8%	Beats 81%	A
1.8 Petrol	2,609	65.0%	Beats 78%	B
2.4 Petrol	2,059	63.6%	Beats 75%	B
2.2 Diesel	1,164	64.9%	Beats 83%	A
2.5 Diesel	1,029	60.4%	Beats 71%	B

1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class4 engines66.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	4,927	66.3%	Beats 79%	B
2.0 Petrol	3,930	66.5%	Beats 80%	A
2.4 Petrol	2,382	66.9%	Beats 82%	A
2.5 Diesel	1,808	65.9%	Beats 83%	A

1997 Mercedes-Benz C-Class3 engines66.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	4,830	66.7%	Beats 77%	B
2.0 Petrol	2,496	66.9%	Beats 79%	B
2.5 Diesel	1,332	67.6%	Beats 84%	A

1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2 engines68.4% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	2,769	68.2%	Beats 79%	B
2.0 Petrol	1,623	68.9%	Beats 80%	A

1995 Mercedes-Benz C-Class1 engine65.2% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	2,231	65.2%	Beats 62%	B

1994 Mercedes-Benz C-Class1 engine69.3% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	1,659	69.3%	Beats 74%	B

FAQ

What is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate?

74.2% of MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class were passed first time, based on 3,187,640 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1994–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 68.8% of the time.

Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 75% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mercedes-Benz C-Class year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2014 C-Class does best for its age and mileage: it beats 87% of cars on UK roads. The 2004 does worst: it beats 60%.

Which Mercedes-Benz C-Class engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Hybrid does best: it beats 92% of cars on UK roads. The 1.8 Petrol does worst: it beats 69%.

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

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, suspension ball joints, tyre tread depth. Compared with similar cars, suspension ball joints comes up 2.4× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ