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MERCEDES C (2016)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 80,181 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3982cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £2757/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Petrol3982cc10 years old80,181 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3982cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 3982cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,757
Per month£230/mo
Per week£53/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

88% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

At 10 years old, 88% of MERCEDES Cs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 80,181 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 73,695 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars269th of 586(top 46%)
Rank among MERCEDES models737th of 1,408(top 52%)
vs national average+6%(82% avg)
vs 2016 cars average+3%(85% avg)
vs MERCEDES average+1%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

73,695

Average miles

vs

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 MERCEDES C has 73,695 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 72%. The 2016 sits between the two at 88%.

MERCEDES C by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202192%3,77227,184 mi
202092%16,22533,734 mi
201991%52,83840,700 mi
201890%62,13851,166 mi
201789%87,61260,957 mi
201688%80,18173,695 mi
201586%71,63585,216 mi
201485%54,72990,129 mi
201381%51,70397,102 mi
201279%59,235102,461 mi
201179%42,676109,800 mi
201078%28,538111,322 mi
200977%28,440118,861 mi
200877%30,369121,672 mi
200776%25,544119,028 mi
200674%20,205118,301 mi
200573%17,978121,824 mi
200472%13,493116,683 mi
200373%9,158112,103 mi
200275%4,985103,944 mi
200175%2,463101,994 mi
200077%1,103104,741 mi
199982%2,683110,180 mi
199879%2,916112,877 mi
199781%2,336121,767 mi
199682%1,296107,809 mi
199583%1,017101,913 mi
199484%735103,968 mi
199382%71105,975 mi
199287%30131,044 mi
199179%47112,139 mi
199066%41103,332 mi

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About the 2016 MERCEDES C

The 2016 MERCEDES C is a performance with a 3982cc petrol engine. 80,181 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 73,695 miles at 10 years old, MERCEDES C owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2016 MERCEDES C Fuel Costs

The 3982cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 MERCEDES C?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MERCEDES C Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2016 MERCEDES C

At 10 years old, the MERCEDES C is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. With 80,181 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 MERCEDES C's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 10 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2016 MERCEDES C stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MERCEDES C(2016)88%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2757
AUDI A6(2016)89%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
PORSCHE MACAN(2015)91%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2097-£660
VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG(2015)85%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
PORSCHE 911(2018)96%£1592£190Grp 35-50£2037-£720

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mercedes C.

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