Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate
In 2023, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class passed 74.7% of its first MOT tests, from 385,809 tests in Great Britain. That is 3.3 points above the 71.4% average for all cars, taxis and light vans.
Most common Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT failures
The area that failed most often was suspension, affecting 9.6% of tests. The red line shows the average for all cars.
- Suspension 9.6% vs 8.9%
- Tyres 7.8% vs 6.3%
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 6.5% vs 11.3%
- Brakes 6.3% vs 6.8%
- Noise, emissions and leaks 3.4% vs 3.1%
- Visibility 2.6% vs 4.8%
- Body, chassis, structure 1.0% vs 3.4%
- Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 1.0% vs 1.0%
- Tyres: condition 4.4% vs 3.7%
- Ball joint 4.3% vs 1.8%
- Tread depth 3.5% vs 2.6%
- Headlamp aim 2.8% vs 3.3%
- Coil spring 2.6% vs 2.6%
- Malfunction indicator lamp 2.6% vs 1.5%
- Rigid brake pipes 1.6% vs 0.8%
- Brake pads 1.6% vs 2.1%
Top reasons for failure
| Reason for failure | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Ball joint excessively worn | 3.9% |
| Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | 3.3% |
| Coil spring: Fractured or broken | 2.6% |
| Tyres: condition: Has ply or cords exposed | 1.7% |
| Tyres: condition: Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 1.5% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: Inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 1.5% |
| Rigid brake pipes: Excessively corroded | 1.4% |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 1.3% |
| Brake pads: Less than 1.5 mm thick | 1.3% |
| Rbt (sp): Efficiency below requirements | 1.2% |
Mercedes-Benz C-Class pass rate by age
The pass rate changes with age: 87.2% for cars aged 3 to 5 years and 60.7% for those aged 15 years or more. Older cars usually fail more often because parts like suspension, brakes and exhausts wear with time and mileage.
- 3 to 5 years 87.2% vs 71.4%
- 6 to 9 years 81.1% vs 71.4%
- 10 to 14 years 69.1% vs 71.4%
- 15 years or more 60.7% vs 71.4%
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 235,403 | 73.8% |
| Petrol | 133,274 | 75.1% |
| Hybrid | 13,381 | 86.4% |
| Plug-in hybrid (diesel) | 3,680 | 80.5% |
Most common Mercedes-Benz C-Class advisories
Advisories do not fail the test, but they often become failures by the next MOT. These were noted most often:
- Tread depth 20.7%
- Brake discs 10.1%
- Rigid brake pipes 8.6%
- Brake pads 7.4%
- Tyres: condition 7.2%
- Vehicle 4.6%
- Ball joint 4.6%
- Pins and bushes 3.8%
See MOT advisories explained for what to do about them.
How we worked this out
These figures come from DVSA's anonymised MOT testing data for 2023, covering every class 4 MOT test in Great Britain (cars, taxis and light vans). We count normal tests only, not retests. A test counts as a first-time pass if the vehicle passed without any repairs. Tests where defects were fixed at the test centre within an hour (PRS) count as fails, in line with DVSA's own statistics. Failure areas show the share of tests with at least one failure in that area, so the figures add up to more than the fail rate.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
In 2023, 74.7% of Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT tests were passed first time, from 385,809 tests in Great Britain. The average for all cars, taxis and light vans was 71.4%.
What is the most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The most common failure area was suspension, which caused 9.6% of tests to fail. Next came tyres (7.8%) and lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (6.5%).
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable at its MOT?
Its first-time pass rate of 74.7% is 3.3 points above the average and ranks 31 of the 100 most-tested models. Age and mileage matter more than the model, so always check the history of the car you are buying.
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz C-Class's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT history check. You will see every test, the mileage at each test and all failures and advisories.