Is the Mercedes C reliable?

The Mercedes C has an average MOT pass rate of 81% across 32 years, based on 776,192 tests in 2026. That's 1 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2020 with a 92% pass rate.

Which year Mercedes C is best?

The 2020 Mercedes C has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%, while the 1990 model has the lowest at 66%. There's a 26 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Mercedes C

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 32 years from 776,192 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

81%

Total Tests

776,192

Best Year

2020 (92%)

Years Covered

About the Mercedes C

The Mercedes C has been tested 776,192 times in 2026 MOT data across 32 model years (1990 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 81%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as hybrid and petrol and diesel.

Best and Worst Years

The 2020 model is the most reliable with a 92% pass rate from 16,225 tests. The 1990 model has the lowest at 66%. With a 26 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES Cs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 103,332 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 27,184 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Mercedes brand average of 87%, the C is 6 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Mercedes models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 1991cc)

£1,327

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,777

Per month£148/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Mercedes C?

vs national average-1% (82% avg)

vs Mercedes brand average-6% (87% avg)

Best to worst year spread26 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Mercedes C by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	92%	3,772	27,184 mi
2020	92%	16,225	33,734 mi
2019	91%	52,838	40,700 mi
2018	90%	62,138	51,166 mi
2017	89%	87,612	60,957 mi
2016	88%	80,181	73,695 mi
2015	86%	71,635	85,216 mi
2014	85%	54,729	90,129 mi
2013	81%	51,703	97,102 mi
2012	79%	59,235	102,461 mi
2011	79%	42,676	109,800 mi
2010	78%	28,538	111,322 mi
2009	77%	28,440	118,861 mi
2008	77%	30,369	121,672 mi
2007	76%	25,544	119,028 mi
2006	74%	20,205	118,301 mi
2005	73%	17,978	121,824 mi
2004	72%	13,493	116,683 mi
2003	73%	9,158	112,103 mi
2002	75%	4,985	103,944 mi
2001	75%	2,463	101,994 mi
2000	77%	1,103	104,741 mi
1999	82%	2,683	110,180 mi
1998	79%	2,916	112,877 mi
1997	81%	2,336	121,767 mi
1996	82%	1,296	107,809 mi
1995	83%	1,017	101,913 mi
1994	84%	735	103,968 mi
1993	82%	71	105,975 mi
1992	87%	30	131,044 mi
1991	79%	47	112,139 mi
1990	66%	41	103,332 mi