Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Registered from 1990 to 2025.
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 2015 2.1 diesel. 4,335 of 28,522 tests failed, 15%.
Better than 48% of 2015 cars. The typical one fails 15%, across 894 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 47% | 2,019 |
| Suspension | 36% | 1,560 |
| Brakes | 19% | 811 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 14% | 592 |
| Visibility | 8% | 358 |
| Lights and electrics | 8% | 336 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 47% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Suspension — 36% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Brakes — 19% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Exhaust and emissions — 14% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 8% of its failures
- Visibility — 8% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 20% of its inspections, against the 21% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 7% | 7% | 145 | |
| 20–40k miles | 10% | 10% | 1,715 | |
| 40–60k miles | 13% | 14% | 5,518 | |
| 60–80k miles | 15% | 17% | 8,030 | |
| 80–100k miles | 16% | 19% | 6,229 | |
| 100–120k miles | 17% | 20% | 3,497 | |
| 120–140k miles | 16% | 21% | 1,793 | |
| 140–160k miles | 17% | 20% | 870 | |
| 160–180k miles | 19% | 21% | 407 | |
| 180–200k miles | 15% | 21% | 149 | |
| 200k+ miles | 20% | 21% | 152 |
28,505 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2.0 hybrid · 201 hp · 2108 kg · 2865 mm wheelbase · 0.6 L/100km (WLTP) · 206 Wh/km |
| 2021 | 2.0 diesel · 262 hp · 1804 kg · 2865 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 2.0 diesel · 267 hp · 1744 kg · 6.5 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.6 petrol · 154 hp · 1504 kg · 2840 mm wheelbase · 7.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 1747 kg · 2840 mm wheelbase · 3.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 2.1 diesel · 203 hp · 1684 kg · 2832 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2.1 diesel · 172 hp · 1742 kg · 2840 mm wheelbase · 3.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 1743 kg · 2840 mm wheelbase · 3.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 1657 kg · 2760 mm wheelbase · 5.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 1705 kg · 2760 mm wheelbase · 5.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 1704 kg · 2757 mm wheelbase · 5.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 2.1 diesel · 201 hp · 1703 kg · 2760 mm wheelbase · 6.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
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
A12/00185/23
The aluminium bolts of the steering box may break. This can lead to detachment of the steering box from the power block, creating a risk 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
A12/00196/24
A bolt on the high-pressure pump may be faulty, which could impair the sealing function between the high-pressure pump and the tandem oil pump. As a result, oil and fuel may leak onto the road, posing a risk to the following traffic. In addition, oil and fuel could come into contact with hot engine parts, increasing the risk of fire. 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
A12/00391/23
Due to improper adhesive bonding of the glass panel to the sliding roof frame, the panel may detach from the moving vehicle, creating a risk of an accident, injuries. 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
A12/00410/24
Due to a faulty fixation, the rear axle wiring harness may be damaged. This may cause sudden momentum loss, increasing the risk of an accident. In addition, electrical current may cause an increased temperature in the damaged area, creating a risk of fire. 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
33 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.