Mercedes-Benz C 200
Registered from 2019 to 2021.
About this model
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a series of compact executive cars produced by Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 (W201) range, the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's line-up until the W168 A-Class arrived in 1997. The C-Class has been available with a "4MATIC" four-wheel drive option since 2002. The third generation (W204) was launched in 2007 while the current W206 generation was launched in 2021.
From the Wikipedia article Mercedes-Benz C-Class, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2020 1.6 diesel. 25 of 251 tests failed, 10%.
Better than 29% of 2020 cars. The typical one fails 8%, across 906 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 92% | 23 |
| Brakes | 8% | 2 |
| Plates and identity | 8% | 2 |
| Lights and electrics | 4% | 1 |
| Visibility | 4% | 1 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- A tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber
Where it stands out against its peers
- Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 96% of 2020 cars — 92% of its 25 failed tests, where an ordinary 2020 car has 55%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 92% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Brakes — 8% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Brake servo inoperative
- Plates and identity — 8% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 40–60k miles this one fails 10% of its inspections, against the 13% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 12% | 5% | 65 | |
| 20–40k miles | 7% | 10% | 134 | |
| 40–60k miles | 10% | 13% | 40 |
239 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 20k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1.6 diesel · 158 hp · 1594 kg · 2840 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.6 diesel · 157 hp · 1598 kg · 2840 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00017/22
A trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00045/22
The vacuum-controlled coolant pump may not be tightly sealed between the coolant and vacuum circuits. This may result in the coolant leaking into the vacuum circuit leading to an electrochemical reaction, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00055/22
Due to an incorrect material composition of the Mode 2 charging cable for charging at a household power socket, the insulation resistance of the rubber buffer could be impaired, overriding the protective function of the charging cable. Furthermore, in combination with an error in the householdinfrastructure, the activation of the protective device in the household electrical circuit might be prevented. This could cause the user to have an electrical shock and could lead to a fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00147/22
The cupholder in the centre armrest of the second seat row may become detached from the armrest in the event of an accident. This could increased the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00440/23
Improper foam used in the front bumper may cause the active hood release to fail to deploy in the event of a collision with a pedestrian, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00732/22
An erroneous notch in the impact absorber may lead to failure of the tube sensor for the actuation of the active hood. In case of an accident, the active hood for pedestrian protection might be lifted too late or not at all, increasing the risk of injury to the pedestrian involved. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00791/23
The airbag control unit may be faulty, resulting in that the PRE-SAFE function and/or the active bonnet are not activated as intended, increasing the risk of injury in case of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01227/23
Fuel may leak and the fuel line pressure may drop, leading to misfires or even engine stalling while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. Moreover, fuel leaks could pose a risk to following traffic. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
12 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.