Comparison · executive cars
BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class: which is more reliable?
The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 106 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 846,188 real MOT tests in 2024.
BMW 3 Series
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
By age
MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).
| Age at test | BMW 3 Series | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 100About average | 102About average |
| 6–9 years | 108Above average | 105Above average |
| 10–14 years | 110Well above average | 107Above average |
| 15+ years | 115Well above average | 106Above average |
Year by year
Share that passed first time, same registration year.
| Year | BMW 3 Series | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85.0% | 86.8% |
| 2020 | 86.0% | 87.7% |
| 2019 | 86.9% | 87.0% |
| 2018 | 86.5% | 84.8% |
| 2017 | 85.2% | 82.5% |
| 2016 | 83.6% | 80.8% |
| 2015 | 81.1% | 78.7% |
| 2014 | 77.0% | 76.4% |
| 2013 | 73.4% | 69.9% |
| 2012 | 68.9% | 67.8% |
| 2011 | 68.7% | 67.7% |
| 2010 | 67.4% | 65.8% |
| 2009 | 66.0% | 63.6% |
| 2008 | 67.4% | 62.7% |
| 2007 | 67.3% | 61.1% |
| 2006 | 66.0% | 58.6% |
| 2005 | 65.0% | 57.9% |
| 2004 | 64.7% | 57.0% |
| 2003 | 65.6% | 57.5% |
| 2002 | 65.7% | 60.9% |
| 2001 | 64.6% | 61.5% |
| 2000 | 65.0% | 67.3% |
| 1999 | 66.2% | 71.1% |
| 1998 | 67.7% | 70.7% |
| 1997 | 67.8% | 70.4% |
| 1996 | 69.1% | 73.2% |
| 1995 | 69.4% | 75.2% |
| 1994 | 64.8% | 76.4% |
Problem areas
Failure items per 100 tests.
| Area | BMW 3 Series | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8.2 | 13.0 |
| Lights & electrics | 11.8 | 8.2 |
| Brakes | 9.0 | 9.3 |
| Tyres | 8.6 | 8.8 |
| Emissions & leaks | 3.6 | 4.2 |
| Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors) | 3.6 | 2.8 |
| Body & chassis | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| Seat belts & airbags | 1.1 | 1.0 |
BMW 3 Series: top failures
Mercedes-Benz C-Class: top failures
Questions
Which is more reliable, the BMW 3 Series or the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 106 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, comparing each with cars of the same age.
Which years of the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class can be compared?
Both were tested for 28 registration years (1994–2021). The BMW 3 Series had the higher pass rate in 18 of them and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class in 10.
What fails most on each?
BMW 3 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Mercedes-Benz C-Class: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.