Comparison · executive cars

Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Jaguar XE: which is more reliable?

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 103 for the Jaguar XE, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 410,709 real MOT tests in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

106Above average
MOT tests366,830

Jaguar XE

103Above average
MOT tests43,879

By age

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

Age at testMercedes-Benz C-ClassJaguar XE
3–5 years
102About average
97Below average
6–9 years
105Above average
104Above average
10–14 years
107Above average
–
15+ years
106Above average
–

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearMercedes-Benz C-ClassJaguar XE
202186.8%81.7%
202087.7%84.1%
201987.0%83.6%
201884.8%82.1%
201782.5%82.1%
201680.8%79.6%
201578.7%78.7%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaMercedes-Benz C-ClassJaguar XE
Tyres8.88.1
Suspension13.02.1
Brakes9.35.3
Lights & electrics8.25.4
Emissions & leaks4.21.9
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.83.2
Seat belts & airbags1.00.7
Body & chassis1.20.4

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%

Jaguar XE: top failures

  1. Stop lamp: not working2.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or the Jaguar XE?

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 103 for the Jaguar XE, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Jaguar XE can be compared?

Both were tested for 7 registration years (2015–2021). The Mercedes-Benz C-Class had the higher pass rate in 6 of them and the Jaguar XE in 1.

What fails most on each?

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Jaguar XE: stop lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.