Comparison · executive cars

Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Ford Mondeo: which is more reliable?

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 100 for the Ford Mondeo, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 557,870 real MOT tests in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

106Above average
MOT tests366,830

Ford Mondeo

100About average
MOT tests191,040

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testMercedes-Benz C-ClassFord Mondeo
3–5 years
102About average
98About average
6–9 years
105Above average
105Above average
10–14 years
107Above average
100About average
15+ years
106Above average
97Below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearMercedes-Benz C-ClassFord Mondeo
202186.8%81.8%
202087.7%83.3%
201987.0%85.3%
201884.8%84.8%
201782.5%83.4%
201680.8%81.0%
201578.7%77.5%
201476.4%68.6%
201369.9%66.5%
201267.8%64.8%
201167.7%63.2%
201065.8%59.6%
200963.6%57.9%
200862.7%55.3%
200761.1%54.8%
200658.6%55.7%
200557.9%54.6%
200457.0%54.3%
200357.5%55.6%
200260.9%55.7%
200161.5%56.5%
200067.3%56.8%
199971.1%59.1%
199870.7%58.1%
199770.4%60.6%
199673.2%63.0%
199575.2%59.2%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaMercedes-Benz C-ClassFord Mondeo
Lights & electrics8.219.3
Suspension13.013.8
Brakes9.313.1
Tyres8.89.9
Emissions & leaks4.25.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.84.6
Body & chassis1.25.1
Steering0.82.6

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.6%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.3%

Ford Mondeo: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
  3. Position lamp: not working2.5%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.3%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.2%
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or the Ford Mondeo?

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 100 for the Ford Mondeo, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Ford Mondeo can be compared?

Both were tested for 27 registration years (1995–2021). The Mercedes-Benz C-Class had the higher pass rate in 25 of them and the Ford Mondeo in 2.

What fails most on each?

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Ford Mondeo: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick.