Comparison · executive cars

Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Skoda Superb: which is more reliable?

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 102 for the Skoda Superb, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 430,311 real MOT tests in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

106Above average
MOT tests366,830

Skoda Superb

102About average
MOT tests63,481

By age

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

Age at testMercedes-Benz C-ClassSkoda Superb
3–5 years
102About average
98About average
6–9 years
105Above average
103Above average
10–14 years
107Above average
103Above average
15+ years
106Above average
106Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearMercedes-Benz C-ClassSkoda Superb
202186.8%85.4%
202087.7%85.1%
201987.0%83.5%
201884.8%83.5%
201782.5%81.5%
201680.8%80.3%
201578.7%74.4%
201476.4%70.9%
201369.9%69.4%
201267.8%65.8%
201167.7%64.8%
201065.8%63.3%
200963.6%60.7%
200862.7%64.9%
200761.1%61.4%
200658.6%62.3%
200557.9%55.8%
200457.0%58.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaMercedes-Benz C-ClassSkoda Superb
Suspension13.09.7
Tyres8.88.7
Lights & electrics8.26.9
Brakes9.35.0
Emissions & leaks4.22.1
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.81.9
Body & chassis1.21.1
Seat belts & airbags1.00.7

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%

Skoda Superb: top failures

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.3%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.7%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.7%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or the Skoda Superb?

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 102 for the Skoda Superb, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Skoda Superb can be compared?

Both were tested for 18 registration years (2004–2021). The Mercedes-Benz C-Class had the higher pass rate in 14 of them and the Skoda Superb in 4.

What fails most on each?

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Skoda Superb: shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed.